Lawnfield, James A. Garfield National Historic Site

James A. Garfield purchased the nine room dilapidated farmhouse with outbuildings in 1876. In 1880, he enveloped the original structure, adding eleven rooms to accommodate his large family. It was at this time that Garfield added the front porch, which became nationally known during his presidential campaign. Reporters named the home Lawnfield because of the wide expanse of lawn on which they literally camped out during the campaign.

Following his death in 1881, Lucretia, his widow, added the memorial library and vault to store his personal letters and papers, as well as the books he treasured. This library set the precedent for Presidents to have libraries built in their honor. Lucretia remodeled the home in 1904, and the family retained ownership of the structure until 1936, when it was donated to the Western Reserve Historical Society by Garfield's children. Congress authorized the property as a National Historic Site on December 28, 1980.

Other structures on the 7.82 acre site include the carriage house (recently rehabilitated into a visitor center), the campaign office, the 75-foot tall pump house/windmill (also recently restored),gas holder, granary, barn, and chicken coop with run. A tenant house completes the list. The Visitor Center, housed in an 1893 carriage house on the grounds of the 20th President's home, features scenes from Garfield's career as a politician including his inauguration, his nomination at the Republican Convention, and his death after an assassin shot him. Also featured are documents, clothing, and funeral memorabilia. An 18-minute video describes President Garfield's life and career. The grounds feature wayside exhibits describing the buildings and historical events. To learn more about other structures on the Lawnfield site click here.