Exploring the Taft Education Center

The lobby and entrance area to the Taft Education Center.

NPS / Tom Engberg

Visitors to the park can begin their journey here, at the Taft Education Center (TEC). Check current hours information before visiting. The TEC is the park's only visitor center and serves as the starting point for all tours to the Taft Family Home. Guests can view the park orientation film, William Howard Taft, Public Servant. The film is approximately 15 minutes and covers the life and legacy of Taft and his career as a judge and politician from the local level through the federal ranks. 

Visitors to the TEC can browse throught the small gift shop for souvenirs and a small assortment of Taft and presidential-related books. Interpretive exhibits are rotated in the building's interior, so be sure to ask a ranger what is currently available to view on your visit.

After the film and a quick browse of the gift shop, ask a ranger for the next scheduled tour of the Taft family home and continue your journey in the park with a tour of the Victorian-era house.

Details

Activity

Park Film

Visitors to the park begin their journey here, at the Taft Education Center. The park film, William Howard Taft, Public Servant. The film gives visitors a good overview of the life and legacy of Taft and his time as the nation's 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Taft is the only person in history to have held both positions.

Pets Allowed

No

Service animals are permitted in the building, pets are not allowed.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Cincinnati, Ohio

Located north of downtown Cincinnati, the park is just minutes from the University of Cincinnati main campus on Auburn Ave.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

Visit William Howard Taft National Historic Site's Operating Hours page for current information. 

Accessibility Information

William Howard Taft Education Center:

• Parking: Two spaces available in front parking lot, 2 parking spaces available in rear lot.
• Entrance: Front doors to education center open outwards, manually operated.
• Trails: Paved and pebble-covered from parking lot areas leading to education center and house, gradual incline towards buildings. Curb ramp accessibility to the Education Center, up front on Auburn Ave.
• Restrooms: Men's and Women's both wheelchair accessible with wall-mounted baby changing stations in both.
• Water: Water fountain located inside Education Center near restrooms.
• Picnic tables provided around Taft House and near rear parking lot.
• No pay phones
• Benches : Provided around the outside of education center building.
• Exhibits: Artifacts on display in glass cases, visually and physically available from a wheelchair.
• Assistive listening devices available.

William Howard Taft House:

• Parking: Two spaces available in front parking lot area in front of Education Center and two parking spaces in rear lot.
• Trails: Paved and pebble-covered from parking lot areas, flat surface, gradual incline towards buildings.
• Accessibility entrance: basement door on north side of house.
• Exhibits: Artifacts on display in glass cases, visually and physically available from a wheelchair.
• Restrooms: basement restroom is wheelchair accessible.
• Water: water fountain in basement near elevator.
• Picnic tables: available around Taft House and rear parking lot.
• No pay phones
• Elevator: on basement floor in house (north side of house).
  • elevator specifications