Rutherford B Hayes, the 19th US president, served one term from 1877-1881. This was a trying time in US history. Both the north and south were still feeling the effects of the Civil War and federal troops were stationed in the south to protect the rights of former slaves. Contested electoral votes caused Hayes inauguration to be delayed for months. Both sides claimed victory but after much discussion a bipartisan committee of 8 Republican and 7 Democrats awarded Hayes the votes he need to win but only after he agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, a terrible decision for black people living there. To make matters even more confusing for us today, at that time the platforms of the Republican and Democrats were opposite what they are now. Hayes attempted to protect the rights of southern blacks but was blocked by a Democratic controlled Congress that refused to appropriate funds to enforce civil rights laws.
The Presidential Center includes the Hayes family home, 25 wooded acres with trails, and the first public presidential library and museum which was established by the Hayes family in 1916. The museum rambles a bit with the main exhibit about Hayes presidency. Additional exhibits include early history of Freeport, Ohio; the Civil War; the early lives of both Rutherford and Lucy Hayes; the guns and weapons collection of the Hayes’ son, Colonel James Webb Cook Hayes; and temporary exhibits.
The museum is accessible except for two small rooms off of the rotunda. One houses a replica of the Resolute Desk, the other two dollhouses that belonged to the Hayes' daughter. A small lift provides access to the weapon's collection. We did not visit the house but the website indicates that the only first floor is accessible by a small lift. One mile of trail on the estate is paved and accessible.
The Presidential Center includes the Hayes family home, 25 wooded acres with trails, and the first public presidential library and museum which was established by the Hayes family in 1916. The museum rambles a bit with the main exhibit about Hayes presidency. Additional exhibits include early history of Freeport, Ohio; the Civil War; the early lives of both Rutherford and Lucy Hayes; the guns and weapons collection of the Hayes’ son, Colonel James Webb Cook Hayes; and temporary exhibits. 
The museum is accessible except for two small rooms off of the rotunda. One houses a replica of the Resolute Desk, the other two dollhouses that belonged to the Hayes' daughter. A small lift provides access to the weapon's collection. We did not visit the house but the website indicates that the only first floor is accessible by a small lift. One mile of trail on the estate is paved and accessible. 
Seems like a messy (or ugly) time in our history, not too far removed from today's mess!! President Hayes is one of those men we don't hear much about; consequently, we don't know much about him. Maybe some winter reading would fix us up!
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