herbert hoover national historic site

mja1982

A small but nice Historic Site. There is a small visitor center with a movie, and you also get the opportunity to go into the house where he was born. It's very small. What an interesting President/Presidency; can see how this town molded him into a humanitarian and great American.

GNRMatt

The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site honors the former president as it is the site where he was born. Visitors can walk around the grounds here to see what life was like in this area during Herbert Hoover's years. In addition, you can visit the graves of the former president and his wife.As this is a National Park, you can also participate in the Junior Ranger program, which is fun for kids AND adults. It helps to immerse you more in what the park has to offer, and if you complete the program (which takes about an hour or so), you'll get a badge at the end.Also, note that there is a National Park Passport Cancellation stamp located in the Visitor's Center here.

681RayR

We love going to National Historic Sites/Parks/Monuments, etc. so we were happy to find this one relatively close to our hotel during our trip.We were not disappointed at all!!The Visitors Center staff were knowledgable and friendly. They started the movie for us when we were ready. They told us a little about the area and provided recommendations on touring the park.The coolest thing about this place: the tour wands! There is a special map with each location numbered. You check the wand out (for free) and enter the number for the location and listen to information about that location. It is absolutely awesome! Don't have to worry about wind blowing your map around or trying to dial someplace from your phone.The NHS is clean and well kept. We spent three solid hours touring it. We learned a tremendous amount of information about Herbert Hoover which was fantastic!There are period houses, a blacksmith (who was there and working), and the House in which Hoover was born. If you listen to each of the recordings and visit each house, plan on being there at least 2-3 hours.

Torte_Sue

The Hoover historic area is run by the Park Service and has no admission fee. There is a short film depicting President Hoover's childhood. Then you mean get an idea of small town America in the late 1880's by visiting his tiny two room birthplace, the Quaker meeting house, the blacksmith with many tools, and the one room schoolhouse. Walk by the statue donated by the Belgians to thank Hoover for his service to feed them during World War I and then to the museum which is run by the National Archives and does have a small fee.The historic area is lovely and peaceful and borders actual homes still lived in. There is a small gift shop. Plenty of parking and accessible. Needs about an hour.

bethanddavetravels

I believe the heart and soul of America is small town, Main Street living. Everyone should visit and experience this.

usroadrats

Nice grounds - Site consist of President Hoover’s birthplace cottage, a blacksmith shop, school house, Quaker Meeting house and the graves of President Hoover and Mrs. Hoover. Time needed to visit all, at least 3 hours. The library/museum tells about President Hoovers life and career. Though film, manuscripts, photographs and oral. Beginning with Hoovers birthplace cottage and boyhood in Iowa. Continuing in a time frame of well laid out displays, to the Waldorf Towers in New York where he spent his final years of his life.We have visited 12 presidential libraries and many presidential homes. This one is well done, very educational and easy to follow the life of our 31st. President. Time needed at least three hours. Great place to enjoy a punic, fall should be a very pretty time.

855erink

We love to go to National Parks so we were in the area and thought we would stop. This is one of the least interesting national parks we have visited. It was interesting to learn a little bit about President Hoovers birthplace, but it was obvious that his presidency is nothing to be excited about as the whole park never mentions and of his accomplishments, just his boyhood. Without any living historians or interpreters the buildings are a quick walk and not much more.

CDM49

A surprising good small town historical site of a for a president which history has not been very kind to. Herbert Hoover did a lot for humanity around the world but that has been overshadowed by the crash of 29 which he was blamed for, but happened when he was in office for only 8 months. The site is very well preserved and shows how life was.

PAboyinFL

Until we saw signs along I-80, we had no idea that this spot in Iowa existed. It is probably less than a mile off the interstate, and a very worthwhile stop. The video in the visitor's center about the childhood of Herbert Hoover should be seen to better understand this historic spot. It is a nice quiet place for a walk, and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library is also located here. (We did not have the time to visit that attraction on this trip.)

Joan1959

I loved seeing the town. Beautiful setting! Well worth a visit! The house that Hoover grew up in and the blacksmith shop that his family owned is on the property. I loved the tree lined streets.

bscarlett

We stopped here on our families road trip out west. It is right off the interstate and a terrific place to stretch your legs and learn a little history. The visitors center has a 12 minutes video about the childhood of Herbert Hoover and a small display of family artifacts. You can then visit the family cottage, church, schoolhouse and blacksmith house. Our daughter was 10 years old and did the Junior Ranger activity book. Our visit lasted about an hour and included restroom break, movie, looking at display, and walking the grounds to do activities in the book. There is no cost for visitor center. On the premises there is also a full museum and presidential library that has a nominal cost if you have more time. This place was an excellent place to stop for a break on i80. There are restaurants in town too if you need to eat.

KentuckyLauren

We accidentally stumbled across this site while travelling through Iowa and I am so glad we did. We enjoyed it very much!. My kids (7 and 9) did the junior ranger program and learned so much. The area really gives you a good feel of what life was like there in the late 1800's. It also provided a very good summary of Hoover's life. We really just stopped to stretch our legs but ended up staying for about 2 1/2 hours including a picnic lunch and time to do the junior ranger program. It was a wonderful detour.

HelenS368

Such a wonderful stop on our trip. We enjoyed walking on the grounds. The home, blacksmith shop and resting place are beautiful. We also found a farmers market a block away and it was worth it!

AmandaH602

I will be completely honest... I made my husband stop here so I could get my National Park Passport stamped. Our plan was to only spend 30 minutes here due to our schedule to get home to Ohio before dark. We started at the Visitor Center which had a great display room and audio stories. It was fascinating learning about a President I knew nothing about! We walked the grounds and stopped at the cabin, the blacksmith shop, meeting house, and Isis statue (really interesting story about it!)Both of us decided we would stop again on our next trip to check out the library, grave sites, and other houses. There were bugs (gnats I think) all over the place and we decided to get back on the road. This was around 9 am so it sounds weird, but bring bug spray just in case.Love how it was right off the highway and I would HIGHLY recommended stopping!

JStarkey2

If you are headed to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, you should also spend an extra hour visiting the Historic Site. The video and exhibits in the Visitor Center are a great starting place explaining Hoover's early days..They also have historical buildings (I liked the small cabin) & most importantly the gravesites of President and Mrs. Hoover. Everything is within walking distance from the Visitor Center.