James A. Garfield National Historic Site reopens after weekslong closure
Published by: The News-Herald
By: Chad Felton
Original article found here
After 53 days of closure, the James A. Garfield Historic Site in Mentor has officially reopened.
Although the National Park Service unit’s Visitor Center remained open to the public, “Lawnfield” itself was closed for renovations.
Welcoming a moderate crowd on Feb. 28, officials noted that two “main tasks” were completed in large areas of the house, including replacing about 3,100 square feet of hardwood flooring on the first floor and in the presidential memorial library.
Crews also hand-sanded and stained 16 stairs, seven balusters and handrails and 116 square feet of wainscoting.
Site Superintendent Lisa Petit added that the major renovation at the property was completed in 1998.
“Since then, wear-and-tear damage to the flooring, handrails and banisters has occurred from regular visitation — it included finish loss, surface grime, scratches and gouges and fading,” she said. “The total budget for the renovations was $374,277 and was funded through the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund.
“Additional staff from First Ladies National Historic Site, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and the Western Reserve Historical Society aided in the packing of artifacts and furniture.”
Tim Garfield, the great-great-grandson of President James A. Garfield, left, details features of the National Parks Service unit's site to Madison Township resident Annie Febel on Feb. 28. (Chad Felton The News-Herald)
Tim Garfield, the great-great-grandson of President James A. Garfield, left, details features of the National Parks Service unit's site to Madison Township resident Annie Febel on Feb. 28. (Chad Felton — The News-Herald)
As the country’s semiquincentennial approaches, JAG Site staff noted that renovations were necessary to properly welcome the significant influx of visitors expected this spring, summer and fall, for various concerts, presentations and naturalization ceremonies.
“We recently compiled a list of 2025 visitors from our guest book, and of the 25 states represented in the data, 843 entries were from outside Ohio, including 35 from outside the United States,” Petit said. “And over half of the 722 entries from Ohio said they were from outside the Northeast Ohio area.”
She added that, in 2024, nearly 40,000 visitors to the site spent an estimated $1.7 million in the local community.
“And James A. Garfield is having a moment in 2026,” Petit said. “The recent Netflix drama ‘Death by Lightning’ brought his story back into the public eye, focusing not only on the politics that resulted in his presidency and assassination, but also on Garfield as a humble family man and patriot, making him relatable to modern audiences.”
Moreover, recent action in the state legislature, House Bill 61, has designated Nov. 19, the 20th president’s birthday, as “James A. Garfield Day.”
And a recently published biography — “President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier” by historian C.W. Goodyear — has heightened the historical significance of “the forgotten president."
“Continuing to protect and preserve his farmhouse here in Mentor, site of the first successful front porch campaign and the first presidential memorial library, is one way for us to honor James A. Garfield, the sacrifice he made for America, and his place in the 250 years our country is celebrating this year,” Petit said.