Hayes, Rutherford B., House
Also known as: Spiegel Grove; Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center; Ruther
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Why it's listed
Spiegel Grove is a 25-acre wooded estate in Fremont, Ohio, where Rutherford B. Hayes, the nineteenth President, lived from 1873 until his death in 1893. His uncle, Sardis Birchard, bought the land, named it for the German word for mirror because of the pools reflecting the oaks and maples, and drew plans for the frame house built from 1859 to 1863. Hayes enlarged it in 1880 with a library, drawing room and cupola, and an 1889 addition added a dining room and kitchen. The house now has about 33 rooms, and many furnishings belonged to Hayes. Two rooms survive from the original house. The grounds also hold a 1873 carriage house, a library and museum building begun in 1916, and the graves of the President and Lucy Hayes. The Hayes children gave the property to the State of Ohio in 1912. It is valued for its link to Hayes and its well-preserved house and grounds.
Significance in brief: It was the home of Rutherford B. Hayes, nineteenth President of the United States, from 1873 until his death in 1893. It is described as the only surviving property solely associated with his life. The house and its furnishings retain very high integrity, and the estate also holds the presidential library and museum.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000624, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Hayes and Buckland Aves., Fremont |
|---|---|
| County | Sandusky County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000624 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1859-1893 |
| Architect / builder | Sardis Birchard |
| Areas of significance | Military, Law, Politics/Government, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 29, 1964 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as excellent to good. The house, library and museum are open to visitors year-round. The site is owned by the State of Ohio and managed by the Hayes Presidential Center. |
| Acreage | 25 |
| Coordinates | 41.34016, -83.13084 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000624.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5825107
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.