Spiegel Grove facts for kids
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Spiegel Grove (Rutherford B. Hayes Summer Home)
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fremont, Ohio |
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| Area | 25 acres (100,000 m2) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | Sardis Birchard |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000624 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 29, 1964 |
Spiegel Grove is a very special place in Fremont, Ohio. It was the home of Rutherford B. Hayes, who was the nineteenth President of the United States. You might also hear it called Spiegel Grove State Park or the Rutherford B. Hayes House.
The name "Spiegel" comes from German and Dutch words that mean "mirror." The story goes that Hayes' uncle, Sardis Birchard, who first built the house, named it. He saw how pools of water would collect on the property after it rained, looking like mirrors.
Rutherford Hayes moved into the estate in 1873. He lived there until he passed away in 1893. He was first buried in a nearby cemetery, but in 1915, his body and his wife's were moved to Spiegel Grove. They are now buried at a special memorial on the property. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, a museum and library, is also located here. It opened in 1916.
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A Special Horse: Old Whitey
Rutherford B. Hayes had a very brave war horse named "Old Whitey." This horse served with Hayes during the Civil War. Old Whitey became a mascot for the soldiers in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. When Old Whitey died in 1879, he was buried right at Spiegel Grove. His grave marker says, "Old Whitey A Hero of Nineteen Battles 1861-1865."
Spiegel Grove's Important History
Spiegel Grove is recognized as a very important historical site. On January 29, 1964, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's one of the most important historic places in the United States. Later, on October 15, 1966, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Story of the House
The main house at Spiegel Grove was first built around 1860. It was a two-story brick mansion with many bedrooms and a porch that wrapped all the way around it.
When Rutherford B. Hayes moved in during 1873, he started making changes. In 1880, he added five new rooms. He also built a huge staircase that went all the way up to the fourth floor! In 1889, six more rooms were added. After all these changes, the house had more than 30 rooms and over 900 square meters (10,000 square feet) of living space.
Visiting Spiegel Grove Today
Today, Spiegel Grove is a state park and a house museum. You can visit the house and see many of the rooms, just as they were when the Hayes family lived there. You can see their furniture, books, and other items. Visitors can explore most of the rooms on the first and second floors. The third and fourth floors are not open to the public.
