Virtual Visit: Park Unit 138 James A Garfield National Historic Site

This morning we virtually traveled to Ohio to visit the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. The National Park Service has the visitor's center film online, which is a terrific introduction to the life of James Garfield, the 20th president, the politics and political history of the time, as well as a video of a virtual tour of the Garfield House, which in many ways, is better than being there in person because you get close up views of the items in the house as well as excellent explanations from a variety of rangers. Both of these films are terrific and worth watching!


We learned a lot about the family, but also about the architecture of the time (beginnings of modernism and glimmers of art deco and craftsman styles), life style (writing hundreds of letters, playing piano, entertaining visitors), and family life (children, parents, grandparents). I thought, as I always do, that this is a much better way of learning about history than any textbook in school!

Google also has a 3-D view of the house that is quite remarkable. You can walk around and look in the rooms and it really feels like you are exploring the house.

Our virtual visit also spurred us to read more about Garfield's election as a compromise candidate in the republican party, his 6-month presidency, and his assassination. This was an interesting glimpse into the politics of the day and a reminder that political discord and dysfunction are not unique to our current time period. This virtual visit is highly recommended!!