MENTOR, Ohio — This Presidents’ Day, one northeast Ohio city is celebrating the life and legacy of one of the state’s most famous residents.

If some people were asked to name the 20th president of the United States, they may not know the answer off the top of their head.

But for folks in Mentor, it’s a no brainer.

What You Need To Know

  • Former President James Garfield used to live in Mentor, Ohio

  • Garfield moved to Mentor a few years being elected 20th president of the United States
  • While running for president, he campaigned from his home, delivering speeches from his front porch

  • His Mentor property now includes a museum, is open for free tours and been redecorated with authentic items from the late 19th century
​Mentor is not only a hub for retail shopping and place to find breathtaking views of Lake Erie, the city — which is about 25 minutes east of Cleveland — is also home to former President James Garfield.

“I drove past here a few times and I was like: ‘That’s amazing, that’s a historical site,’“ said Kristen Castree, whose family took a tour of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site on Mentor Avenue on Monday. “It seems like Presidents’ Day is the perfect day to check out the James A. Garfield National Historic Site."

Garfield became president in 1881, and although his time in office was brief (he was assassinated just six months into his first term), the impact he had on politics here in Ohio was lasting.

Garfield was born and raised in northeast Ohio. Prior to become president, he served as an Ohio state senator and went on to serve nine terms as a U.S. congressman, representing Ohio.

A few years being elected president, Garfield moved to Mentor. While running for president, he campaigned from his home, delivering speeches from his front porch.

His Mentor property, which now includes a museum, has since been redecorated with authentic items from the late 19th century.

For information on free tours offered at the James A. Garfield Historical Site, click here.