About James A Garfield National Historic Site
A front porch can serve many purposes. For some, it is a place to enjoy the breeze on a warm summer night. For others, a perch from which to keep eyes on what's happening in their neighborhood. In 1880, James Garfield used his front porch as a platform to greet thousands of well-wishers during his presidential campaign. Today, the porch serves as a gateway to the story of the Garfield family.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Winter tends to be cold with snow and ice from January - early March. Summers are comfortable, but can be humid and reach into the 90's. There is a 100 yard walk between the Visitor Center and Garfield home; visitors are advised to check weather conditions prior to their visit.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Ohio. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
May: Visitor Center and grounds open daily 10 am - 5 pm. House tours begin after 12 pm. June - October: Visitor Center and grounds open daily 10 am - 5 pm. House tours begin after 10 am. November - April: Friday-Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm - guided house tours daily. Groups of 6 or more require reservations. Schools and groups can arrange tours during the week. Call 440-255-8722.
Activities
Current Alerts
The elevator to the second level of the Garfield Home, including the presidential memorial library, is currently not working. Visitors using wheelchairs or who cannot climb stairs will be escorted to the house museum after viewing the first floor of the home to wait for the tour to finish. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Getting There
From Interstate 90 - exit at Route 306 and head north to Route 20. East on Route 20 about 1.5 miles. Site is on north side of Mentor Avenue. From Route 2 - exit at Route 306 and head south to Route 20. East on Route 20 about 1.5 miles. Site is on the north side of Mentor Avenue.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Guided tours of the Garfield home
Guided tours are available through the beautifully restored Garfield home.
Complete the Junior Ranger Program!
The Junior Ranger program allows children to learn and explore more about James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Activities can…
Cell Phone Tours At James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Enjoy the listening to the cell phone while exploring the grounds at James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Today in the Park
Visiting the Garfield Home soon? Here's a list of different activities to look forward to while you visit.
Your Pet Can Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger!
If you bring your dog to James A. Garfield National Historic Site they can become the newest B.A.R.K. Ranger!
Start Your Visit in the Visitor Center
Start your visit to James A. Garfield National Historic Site in the Visitor Center. Watch the 18 minutes biographical movie…
Visitor Centers
James A. Garfield National Historic Site Visitor Center
In 1893, Lucretia Garfield constructed a Carriage House and Horse Barn behind the Garfield Home. In 1998, the same building was opened as the Visitor…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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