Lawnfeld, Home of President James A. Garfield Mentor OH
This is the home of James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States. When Garfield bought this house it was a 1-1/2 story 9 room farmhouse. He expanded it to a full two-story 20 room house to accommodate his growing family. When he was alive this was a 160 acre working farm. When he campaigned for president in 1880, he did so from this front porch, the first of the “front porch campaigns”.
Garfield served as president for only 200 days; he was shot by a disgruntled office seeker on July 2, 1881 (Garfield was inaugurated on March 4, 1881) at the Washington DC railroad depot, then the president hung on and eventually died on September 10. The president was coherent during that entire time, his condition fluctuated numerous times, and finally took a turn for the worse and died on September 19.
This is wallpaper on the ceiling of the entry foyer. The wallpaper was somewhat unusual, but it used on the ceiling because it was easier to clean the kerosene lamp soot from wallpaper rather than paint and plaster.The parlor.James and Lucretia Garfield’s summer bedroom, on the first floor.Interesting heater.Dining room china cabinet. The china on the right was the Garfield family china, and is what the Garfields took to Washington to use at the White House. They never had time to pick out official state china.Garfield’s mother Eliza’s room. Eliza was the first mother to live to see her son inaugurated president, and she was the first president’s mother to live in the White House (albeit for only a few months).The Garfields’ upstairs (winter) bedroom.Carpet on one the floor of one of the bedrooms upstairs. Prior to its use by the 20th century Nazis, this design was used to indicate well being or good luck.Garfield’s study. His children bought him the chair for reading. Garfield was a voracious reader, and he liked to read in a semi-reclined position.After Garfield’s death, his widow Lucretia created the first presidential library with an addon to the house.Interesting door hingeGarfield’s campaign headquarters office.Garfield’s campaign headquarters office. During the campaign Garfield had a telegraph installed here.Lucretia had this windmill installed in 1894. This windmill would pump water up into the tower, which held a 500 gallon storage tank. There was a water line which gravity-fed the water into a 300 gallon holding tank on the third floor of the house, which then flowed to the faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room!A mock-up of President Garfield taking the oath of office.President Garfield with First Lady Lucretia at his bedside.
James A. Garfield Memorial and Grave Cleveland OH
It was a great disappointment to see the Garfield Memorial under renovation. Normally, this gigantic monument looks like this:This is where President and Lucretia Garfield are entombed.Inside the main hall stands a large statue of Garfield, standing as he would as a congressman when he served in the House of Representatives.The ornate designs throughout this chamber are spectacular. This is looking up to the top of the tower.Down below the main chamber are the caskets of the President and First Lady.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Cleveland OH
Johnny Cash’s tour bus.A very cool museum!There are many, many displays like this. So many outfits, posters, guitars, handwritten letters, etc. KISS drumsElvis has the largest section, of course!Yup, a suit worn by Elvis.Elvis played this.While this video was playing…Mary Jean was rocking it!Rick Nelson’s guitarMama Cass (Mamas and the Papas) outfitDollyTaylor Swift outfit from 2014 concert.Rolling Stones.The BeatlesNow, on to the Hall of Famers…So the Hall of Fame has a “Garage” section, where you can jam like you are in your garage. There are people to teach you to play something simple, so a couple people tried it out…Mary Jean on the drums!Me on the keyboard!
Cleveland OH
Cool skyline picture!USS Cod Submarine MuseumSteamship William G. Mather MuseumLake Erie redo! Yesterday’s Lake Erie picture in New York was a bit overcast and gray. Today in Cleveland it is clear and beautiful!Lake ErieShip on Lake ErieLake ErieFirst Energy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns.Statue of Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown, perhaps the greatest football player ever!
Our hotel in Cleveland
We are staying at the Key Tower Marriott. The Key Tower is the tallest building in Cleveland at 57 stories tall.The view from our 19th floor room – the Terminal Tower, a Cleveland landmark.The Terminal Tower lit up at night.
