Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

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A one story wood frame house has board-and-batten exterior siding and a picket fence painted white.
Herbert Hoover called his humble birthplace "physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life."
Two marble ledger stones each mark a grave in a semicircular landscaped plot with a flagpole.
Two simple marble slabs mark the graves of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover.
A sprawling one story public building of rough-faced yellowish stone has a white portico entrance.
Exhibit galleries and archival collections tell of the triumphs and tragedies of Hoover’s long career in public service.
A low brown barn-like building with three large doorways has a large horseshoe on its facade.
Herbert Hoover's father Jesse owned a blacksmith shop similar to the one at Herbert Hoover NHS.
A one-story wooden building painted off-white has two windows and a central doorway.
Many rural Midwestern towns like West Branch placed a high value on education.
Two doorways, one on either side, of a broad white wood frame building divides the sexes.
The plainly appointed Friends Meetinghouse and the practices within express Quaker values of peace, simplicity, integrity, and service to others.
A cast bronze figure of a veiled goddess sits on a throne mounted on a concrete pedestal.
The people of Belgium gave Herbert Hoover the statue "Isis, Goddess of Life" in gratitude for his famine relief efforts on their behalf during the First World War.
Photos: National Park Service

About Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again. In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service. A memorial landscape remains to tell his story: how community, hard work, honesty, and usefulness to others opened a world of opportunity— and the presidency of the United States— to a child of simple beginnings.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Historic Site
Park State / Territory MembershipIowa
Current Alerts0
Visitor Centers1
Campgrounds0
Things To Do8

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

Spring and fall are mild with moderate temperatures. Average high temperatures in the spring and fall are between 50° and 60° F, with lows from 40° F to 50° F. Summer is hot and humid with average highs around 85° F. Winter can be cold, windy, and snowy with highs…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Iowa. 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

From April 1 - October 31, historic buildings and the visitor center are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From November 1 - March 31, historic buildings are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the visitor center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The grounds of the historic site are open 24 hours. Overnight parking is not allowed in the park.

Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Arts and CultureCraft DemonstrationsFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHikingFront-Country HikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum Exhibits

Getting There

Take exit 254 off Interstate 80 to West Branch, Iowa. The Visitor Center is 0.3 mile north of Interstate 80.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address110 Parkside Drive, West Branch, IA, 52358
Phone3196432541
Emailheho_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and BuildingArtsSculptureBirthplaceBurial, Cemetery and GravesiteCommerceLandscape DesignPresidentsReligion and SpiritualityChurchesSchools and EducationGrasslandsPrairiesRiver and RiparianTrails

Things To Do

Be a Junior Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Be a Junior Ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

The Junior Ranger program helps kids get involved and learn more about Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Anyone can become…

Get Started at the Visitor Center

Get Started at the Visitor Center

Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer questions and help you get oriented.…

Take a Self-guided Tour

Take a Self-guided Tour

The grounds of the historic site are open 24 hours a day. Pick up a map at the Visitor Center…

Picnic Where the President Picnicked

Picnic Where the President Picnicked

Picnic where the President picnicked! Herbert Hoover celebrated his 80th birthday in 1954 at a picnic shelter built by Boy…

Walk the Nature Trails

Walk the Nature Trails

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site offers over two miles of trails through the tallgrass prairie and along Hoover Creek for hiking,…

Tour the Presidential Library & Museum

Tour the Presidential Library & Museum

The Presidential Library and Museum is independently operated and maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a federal…

More Things to Do

Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.