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The Arts At Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

A bronze statue of a seated goddess is displayed in a park.
"Isis, Goddess of Life" by Auguste Puttemans

Patricia McInroy

Ever since the installation of the Statue of Isis across from Herbert Hoover's restored birthplace in 1939, the historic site has been home to original artwork that commemorates the 31st President of the United States.

A portrait painting shows a middle aged man in a suit sitting in a dark room.
Herbert Hoover sat for this portrait in Florida in 1928, shortly after being elected president

"Herbert Hoover, President-Elect," painting by Henry Salem Hubbell

Original Artwork

Exhibits at both the historic site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum feature original works of art. "Isis, Goddess of Life," a bronze statue by Belgian sculptor Auguste Puttemans, figures prominently in the park's commemorative landscape. The 1928 portrait "Herbert Hoover, President-Elect" by American painter Henry Salem Hubbell is displayed at the Visitor Center.

Also displayed are original works by regional artists P. Buckley Moss and Louis Picek.

Programs & Events

Artist-in-Residence Program

The Artist-in-Residence Program at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site promotes creative means of communicating the park's national significance and its relevance to park visitors. Works by artists-in-residence are displayed in the Visitor Center and are featured in various interpretive media.

Music & Performing Arts

The park occasionally hosts musical events. Hoover's Hometown Days, the annual event celebrating the birth of the 31st President, features musical acts.

The museum's 200-seat auditorium hosts occasional theatrical performances, like during West Branch's annual holiday celebration.

Books & Literature

Herbert Hoover authored dozens of books in his long life. The American Library Association designated the Birthplace Cottage a Literary Landmark in 1991. Today Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum offers lectures by a variety of authors.

Photography By Jim Schlett
Photo Gallery

Photography By Jim Schlett

21 Images

Photography by Jim Schlett, Artist-in-Residence at Herbert Hoover NHS in 2019

Artwork By Heather Heckel
Photo Gallery

Artwork By Heather Heckel

21 Images

Artwork by Heather Hecker, Artist-in-Residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2018

Photography by Erin Anfinson
Photo Gallery

Photography by Erin Anfinson

8 Images

Photography by Erin Anfinson, Artist-in-Residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic in 2017.

Photography by Patricia McInroy
Photo Gallery

Photography by Patricia McInro...

18 Images

Photography by Patricia McInroy, Artist-in-Residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2016

Selected Works By Artists-in-Residence
Photo Gallery

Selected Works By Artists-in-R...

21 Images

Selected visual artworks by artists-in-residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

Film & Writing

Showing results 1-6 of 6

  • Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

    In The Tallgrass

    • Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
    A still from a cut paper animation shows an orange butterfly among purple flowers and green grass.

    "In The Tallgrass" is an animated short film produced by Erin Anfinson, 2017 artist-in-residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

    • Type: Series
    • Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
    A large black and yellow moth hovers at a pale purple flower.

    Poets, playwrights, fiction writers, and essayists participate in the Artist-in-Residence Program at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

  • Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

    Reflections of a Neophyte Prairie Topophiliac

    • Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
    Tall yellow daisy-like flowers bloom in a golden and green grassland.

    Writer Gaynell Gavin was artist-in-residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2011. During her residency she wrote the nonfiction essay "Reflections of a Neophyte Prairie Topophiliac".

  • Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

    Maternal Lineage

    • Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
    An open partition separates wooden benches in a plainly furnished house of worship.

    Poet Laura Madeline Wiseman was artist-in-residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2009. During her residency she wrote and recorded the poem "Maternal Lineage".

  • Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

    Summer Yardscape

    • Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
    A boy walks a park path toward a historic blacksmith shop painted brown.

    Writer M.S. Coe was artist-in-residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2011. During her residency she wrote the fiction story "Summer Yardscape".

  • Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

    The Son of West Branch, America’s Great Humanitarian

    • Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
    A 1919 photo depicts a man in a hat and coat touring a European city street.

    Radio dramatist William Anderson was artist-in-residence at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2008. During his residency Dr. Anderson wrote the radio drama script "The Son of West Branch, America's Great Humanitarian". His production of that script won an Award of Excellence from the Broadcast Education Association in 2012.

Last updated: January 23, 2021