Herbert Hoover National Historic Site • Iowa

A one story wood frame house has board-and-batten exterior siding and a picket fence painted white.

Two marble ledger stones each mark a grave in a semicircular landscaped plot with a flagpole.

A sprawling one story public building of rough-faced yellowish stone has a white portico entrance.

A low brown barn-like building with three large doorways has a large horseshoe on its facade.

A one-story wooden building painted off-white has two windows and a central doorway.

Two doorways, one on either side, of a broad white wood frame building divides the sexes.

A cast bronze figure of a veiled goddess sits on a throne mounted on a concrete pedestal.

Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again. In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service. A memorial landscape remains to tell his story: how community, hard work, honesty, and usefulness to others opened a world of opportunity— and the presidency of the United States— to a child of simple beginnings.

Herbert Hoover called his humble birthplace "physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life."
NPS Photo/John Eicher

Two simple marble slabs mark the graves of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover.
NPS Photo/Steven Lonergan

Exhibit galleries and archival collections tell of the triumphs and tragedies of Hoover’s long career in public service.
NARA/Lynn Smith

Herbert Hoover's father Jesse owned a blacksmith shop similar to the one at Herbert Hoover NHS.
NPS Photo/John Tobiason

Many rural Midwestern towns like West Branch placed a high value on education.
NPS Photo/John Tobiason

The plainly appointed Friends Meetinghouse and the practices within express Quaker values of peace, simplicity, integrity, and service to others.
NPS Photo/John Tobiason

The people of Belgium gave Herbert Hoover the statue "Isis, Goddess of Life" in gratitude for his famine relief efforts on their behalf during the First World War.
NPS Photo/John Tobiason

A middle aged man in a suit, tie, and high-collar shirt sits for a portrait photo.

President Herbert Hoover

Values learned in his hometown of rural West Branch guided Herbert Hoover throughout his life of service to the nation and the world.

Trees in brilliant autumn foliage frame an old white schoolhouse.

A landscape of historic buildings, exhibits, and natural areas commemorate the life of Herbert Hoover.

Mothers walk with their young children in a park with bright autumn foliage.

Decide what to see and do during your visit.

A screen from a mobile app shows shows a map and a highlighted feature.

Use the NPS App on your visit to Herbert Hoover to discover the places and people that shaped the early life of the 31st President.

Four chairs and table set a park lawn await a wedding ceremony.

Permits & Reservations

Reserve picnic shelters, book field trips, and apply for special use permits.

A park ranger patrol truck, painted white with a green stripe, is parked by a barn.

Laws & Policies

Help protect the park by knowing the rules before you visit.

A man seated at an easel paints and displays finished paintings.

Artist-in-Residence Program

Artists-in-residence share their inspirations with visitors as they creatively interpret the historic site.

Last updated: April 15, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 607
West Branch, IA 52358

Phone:

319 643-2541

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