Museum offering free tours

FREMONT – For the first time ever, the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums site in Fremont is opening its Carriage House for free tours on Wednesday, Sept. 11, as part of Ohio Open Doors. Tours are from 4-6 p.m. and last 15 minutes. Reservations are required and can be made by visiting rbhayes.org and searching for "Ohio open doors 2024 Carriage House tours." Ohio Open Doors is an annual event organized by the Ohio History Connection in which historic buildings and places across the state open their doors for free public tours and events. Hayes Presidential's Carriage House once housed President Rutherford B. Hayes' carriage and horses. Today, it houses: • Building and grounds equipment • A greenhouse that raises seedlings of Spiegel Grove trees • A screened-in porch that overlooks the rose garden • A spacious upstairs living area. The living area has been modernized and is used for special events and for event speakers to stay when coming to Hayes Presidential. Stairs are required to see the living space. The porch and courtyard surrounded by a stone wall are on ground level and accessible. The Carriage House is located behind the museum, and there is a bathroom in the Carriage House. Parking is available in the back of the museum. Tour participants are also invited to stay for the free Verandah Concert, featuring Common Chords with Robert Jones and Matt Watroba. "Ohio Open Doors shares stories of important landmarks and interesting sites right in our backyards, highlighting the history and unique nature of some of Ohio's most treasured places," said Diana Welling, director of the Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office and state historic preservation officer. The Ohio History Connection created Ohio Open Doors in 2016 to promote and inspire pride in Ohio's heritage and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Oct. 15, 1966, the act has proven instrumental in transforming communities from coast to coast, establishing the legal framework and incentives to preserve historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites. It drives economic revitalization by attracting investment, supporting small business, stabilizing neighborhoods and creating jobs. Ohio Open Doors partner organizations include the Ohio Arts Council, TourismOhio, the Ohio Travel Association and Heritage Ohio. A list of the statewide events and activities is available at ohiohistory.org/opendoors.