News Release

See Junior Ranger Display Map at James A. Garfield National Historic Site

Junior Ranger Display

NPS

News Release Date: June 25, 2021

James A. Garfield National Historic Site invites the public into its visitor center to see a unique map featuring Junior Ranger badges from National Park Service (NPS) sites across the country.  Most NPS sites have a Junior Ranger program featuring activities specifically geared toward engaging children with nature and history.  Kids completing the activities normally receive a badge or patch from each park. 

            During the COVID quarantine period in 2020, a family from Massachusetts contacted James A. Garfield National Historic Site about Junior Ranger programs.  This family offered to help the site secure badges from other NPS sites throughout the United States.  Visitor Use Assistant Rebecca Hayward has been working with this family for over a year and has collected badges, stickers, and patches from over a hundred other sites.  These are now posted on a map in the visitor center auditorium at James A. Garfield National Historic Site.  

            “This has been a fun project, both for our staff and for the kids who do our Junior Ranger program,” said Site Manager Todd Arrington.  “Visitors who take a look at this map will be surprised how many NPS sites and Junior Ranger programs are out there waiting to be explored.”  Children who wish to participate in James A. Garfield National Historic Site’s Junior Ranger program can pick up a free activity book at the visitor center front desk. 

            James A. Garfield National Historic Site is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  There is no fee to enter the visitor center and see the Junior Ranger map.  Those wishing to take a guided tour of the Garfield home must call the site at [phone] to make a reservation.  Guided tours are the only way to see the inside of the Garfield home and are $10.00 per person for those 16 and over (15 and under are free). Those holding an America the Beautiful federal recreation pass-Annual, Senior, Access, Fourth Grade, or Military-are free.       

James A. Garfield National Historic Site is located at 8095 Mentor Avenue (U.S. 20) in Mentor, Ohio, approximately 25 miles east of Cleveland.  The site offers guided tours of the historic Garfield home, museum exhibits, a biographical film, walking paths, and two outdoor cell phone tours.  For information, visit www.nps.gov/jaga, call [phone], or write 8095 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060.  Find the site as @GarfieldNPS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.