Last updated: May 5, 2023
Thing to Do
Picnic Where the President Picnicked
National Archives & Records Administration
Picnic where the President picnicked! Herbert Hoover celebrated his 80th birthday in 1954 at a picnic shelter built by Boy Scouts in his honor. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site has two picnic shelters.
The two picnic shelters at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site are available primarily on a first-come first-serve basis. A special park use permit is required if you would like to use a shelter for a special event, such as a wedding. A nonrefundable processing fee of $50.00 must accompany the application unless the requested use is an exercise of a First Amendment right. An application can be picked up at the park or printed from Special Uses - Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).
For more information please contact the Special Use Permit Coordinator at 319-643-2541, or email.
Details
Activity
Picnicking
Pets Allowed
Yes
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
West (Boy Scout) Picnic Shelter
The picnic shelters are just west of the historic buildings. Both picnic shelters are accessible by paved trails.
Parking for the shelters is on the north side of the loop drive, past Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum. Parking is allowed in only in designated spaces. Visitors can walk to the shelters from the parking area by crossing the foot bridge over Hoover Creek. The nearest restrooms are in the comfort station next to the West (Boy Scout) Picnic Shelter.
Reservations
Yes
Reservations are not required. Either picnic shelter may be used first come, first served for free or reserved for $25.00.
To reserve a picnic shelter, fill out a reservation form (PDF file). Completed forms with the $25 application fee may be delivered to the Visitor Center at 110 Parkside Drive or mailed to P.O. Box 607, West Branch, IA 52358.
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
Two picnic shelters are on the north side of Hoover Creek. Parking for persons with disabilities is on the south side of the creek. Visitors can get to the shelters from the parking area by crossing the foot bridge over the creek.
Both picnic shelters are accessible by paved trails. A comfort station by the West Picnic Shelter has one wheelchair accessible restroom stall. A one-inch threshold must be crossed to enter.
Picnic Shelters
Showing results 1-2 of 2
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
East Picnic Shelter
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
The Negus family donated East Shelter in part. It opened in 1953.
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
West (Boy Scout) Picnic Shelter
- Locations: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Boy Scouts built a picnic shelter in 1953 as a tribute to Herbert Hoover's long legacy of service to youth around the world. The next year, the former president accepted an invitation from the Iowa legislature to celebrate his 80th birthday in West Branch. After a speech at the new Herbert Hoover Elementary School, where an audience of 20,000 greeted him, Hoover arrived at the picnic shelter for a birthday lunch of fried chicken, corn, potato salad, and cake.
Tags:
picnic shelter