Last updated: April 15, 2021
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The Cultural Landscape of Herbert Hoover's Hometown
![Trees in brilliant autumn foliage frame an old white schoolhouse.](/common/uploads/grid_builder/articles/crop16_9/5FDA19FA-B649-B512-BC180D2E21B054C3.jpg?width=1300&quality=90&mode=crop)
A landscape of historic buildings, exhibits, and natural areas commemorate the life of Herbert Hoover.
The park's historic structures, like the Birthplace Cottage, the Blacksmith Shop, the Schoolhouse, and the Friends Meetinghouse, symbolize American ideals as Herbert Hoover saw them and lived them. As additions to the historic landscape of Herbert's early years, the Gravesite, the Statue of Isis, and the Presidential Library and Museum connect his childhood to his later accomplishments.
A Place of National Significance
On August 12, 1965, an act of Congress established this park as a national historic site. Since then, the National Park Service has preserved and interpreted the historic structures and landscape of this 187-acre park. In the late 1930's, President Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, chose this place to celebrate the values they believed helped shape his life.
Presidential Birthplace, Home, & Memorial
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site includes many features of Hoover's boyhood environment that have endured over time and give the park its unique identity as a Presidential birthplace, boyhood home, and memorial. Although much has changed here since Herbert Hoover's birth in 1874, the National Park Service, citizens of West Branch, and the Hoover family have worked to preserve key elements of the past that illuminate the life and times of America's 31st president.
Inspiring a Life of Service
Herbert Hoover's accomplished and public-spirited life drew inspiration from his birthplace. During your visit immerse yourself in the landscape Hoover and the activities he experienced as a child. His father's craft as a blacksmith, Hoover's religious upbringing, his love of fishing, the education he received-influences Herbert Hoover carried into his adult life and that contributed to his character. You'll also read and hear eloquent accounts of the adversity that touched a Quaker family and shaped the path of a young boy from West Branch who went on to serve his country as President. We hope you will find Herbert Hoover National Historic Site to be an inspiring, accessible educational, and recreational experience for years to come.
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The Cultural Landscape of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
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If you were going to make a park to commemorate yourself, what would you like future generations to know?
- Credit / Author:
- NPS
- Date created:
- 06/22/2010
Cultural Landscape of Herbert ...
Landscape and buildings at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa.
Stories
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Restoration of the Birthplace Cottage
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
In the years following his presidency, Herbert and Lou Hoover restored the president's humble birthplace, which he called, "physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life." The small space and few material possessions reflect the Hoovers' ethic of thrift, while the antique furnishings represent common household items of a simply furnished two room rural home.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Historical Studies, Reports, & Plans
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
West Branch Grows, 1851-1874
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
You might be surprised to learn that Herbert Hoover didn’t live in one of the larger, fancier-looking homes at the historic site, even though they were built during the same time period. By comparison, his single story birthplace cottage measured only 14 feet by 20 feet in size. Although you can go inside the house where America’s 31st President was born, the homes on Downey and Poplar streets are not open to the public and are used as offices or residences.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
West Branch's Quaker Heritage
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Series: Writings By Artists-in-residence At Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
The Arts At Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Blacksmithing At Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
The blacksmith shop at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is a working smithy. The blacksmiths are trained in the same style as Herbert’s father, Jesse Hoover. It is a style known as traditional blacksmithing, where the techniques, tools, and fuel sources are what have been used for centuries. The blacksmiths demonstrate the skill and hard work needed to turn ordinary iron into useful things.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Summer Yardscape
Places
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Birthplace Cottage
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
In the years following his presidency, Herbert and Lou Hoover restored the president's humble birthplace, which he called, "physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life." The small space and few material possessions reflect an ethic of thrift. The cottage was a typical starter home for a young late 19th century family. Antique furnishings represent common household items of a simply furnished two room rural home.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Blacksmith Shop (Herbert Hoover National Historic Site)
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Jesse Hoover owned and operated a blacksmith shop from 1871 to 1878. Although there were other smithies in town, Jesse earned a reputation as a good-natured, fair, and industrious businessman. Skilled and ambitious, he advertised to farmers, “Horse shoeing and plow work a specialty. Also dealer in all kinds of pumps. Prices to suit the times.”
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Friends Meetinghouse
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Herbert Hoover grew up in a religious community that valued peace, simplicity, integrity, and service to others. The plainly furnished Friends Meetinghouse, built by the Society of Friends, or Quakers, in 1857, is the physical expression of those values. Now two blocks from its original location, the Herbert Hoover Birthplace Foundation relocated and restored this meetinghouse in 1964.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Gravesite of President & Mrs. Hoover
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Part of the National Archives, the presidential library allows people to explore the legacy of Herbert Hoover's presidency. Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum opened to the public on August 10, 1962— Herbert Hoover's 88th birthday. The library's original entrance, which is the small portico at the east end of the building supported by four white pillars and topped with an earlier version of the presidential seal, is where the dedication took place.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Schoolhouse
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Statue of Isis
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site