Spiegel Grove is one of the most historic and beautiful experiences offered in Ohio, and now you can learn all about the trees and their history.
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums is pleased to announce the tree tours of Spiegel Grove. Attendees can learn about the different types of trees, trees that Rutherford B. Hayes named after people he admired and more.
Spiegel Grove is an arboretum and estate of the president and his wife, First Lady Lucy Hayes. Each tour lasts and hour and covers a different topic, all to help enhance the experience of walking through the spacious, 25-acre botanical garden with more than 90 species of trees.
Between the varieties of chestnut, oak, holly, gingko, pines, as well as a seedling of the Oklahoma City bombing Survivor Tree, the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum named Spiegel Grove a level 1 arboretum. This level is reached when an arboretum achieves the proper standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.
Once Spiegel Grove has more than 100 species of trees, it will reach a level 2 status. The Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants, also recognizes Spiegel Grove as an accredited arboretum.
Tickets are required for all of the tours and can be purchased through the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums website. You can also purchase tickets in person at the museum front desk on the day of, depending on availability.
Check out the full schedule of 2023 tours, below.
- Friday, April 28 – Arbor Day Sunrise Tree Tour. Departs at 7:30 a.m. from the Hayes Home verandah. During this special tour, learn how wassail, a cider drink popular during the Victorian era, was used to “wake up” the apple trees and scare away bad spirits. The tour will highlight some of the unique trees at the Grove. Afterward, enjoy wassail and breakfast sweets on the verandah. Tickets are $12 for non-members and $8 for Hayes Presidential members.
- Saturday, May 6 – Mystic Giants Tree Tour. Departs from the museum at 10 a.m. View some of the larger trees at Spiegel Grove, learn how to determine the age of trees and how trees effect their environment. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free.
- Saturday, June 10 – Tree Tour. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Walk the arboretum, and learn about the different trees. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free.
- Wednesday, June 14 – Trees Named in Honor. Departs the museum at 5:30 p.m. Learn the stories of the people who visited Spiegel Grove who had trees named in their honor. Also learn about the trees themselves. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free. Afterward, stay for the free Verandah Concert.
- Saturday, July 1 – Tree Tour. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Walk the arboretum, and learn about the different trees. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free.
- Wednesday, July 12 – Mystic Giants Tree Tour. Departs from the museum at 5:30 p.m. View some of the larger trees at Spiegel Grove, learn how to determine the age of trees and how trees effect their environment. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free. Afterward, stay for the free Verandah Concert.
- Wednesday, Aug. 9 – Gates and Trees. Departs the museum at 5:30 p.m. Explore the trees at Spiegel Grove. Visit the White House gates at the entrances to Spiegel Grove, and learn some of the stories about them. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free. Afterward, stay for the free Verandah Concert.
- Saturday, Aug. 12 – Trees Named in Honor. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Learn the stories of the people who visited Spiegel Grove who had trees named in their honor. Also learn about the trees themselves. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free.
- Saturday, Sept. 2 – Gates and Trees. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Explore the trees at Spiegel Grove. Visit the White House gates at the entrances to Spiegel Grove, and learn some of the stories about them. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free.
- Saturday, Sept. 30 – Tree Tour. Departs the museum at 12:30 p.m. Walk the arboretum, and learn about the different trees. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Tickets for non-members are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, free for ages 5 and younger. Hayes Presidential members can enjoy this tour for free.
For information on the tours or the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, call 419-332-2081 or visit rbhayes.org.
