Linda and I went up to Mom’s on Wednesday because we were heading on a family adventure on Thursday with Mom and our sister Christie. We all love history, and Christie has been interested in the presidents since she was little. On Thursday, we headed to the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor.
Christie at James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Garfield House
The windmill was once used to pump water
The house was beautiful inside, filled with bookshelves, books, and pictures of Garfield. The story of his wife, Lucretia, and the work she did to expand the house and preserve Garfield’s papers, is a fascinating story itself.
Linda asked for restaurant suggestions at the Visitor Center. The staff can’t make recommendations, but they can give a few suggestions. We went to the Yours Truly Restaurant. It’s really a large diner, doing breakfast all day as well as lunch. Our kind of lunch place because there’s something for everyone on the menu. From there, we went to Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. That’s the site of the Garfield Memorial, and a number of graves of well-known people from the Cleveland area. Since we were there late in the day, we’re going to have to go back. Maybe take the trolley tour of the cemetery.
The Garfield Memorial
My mother, at 90, walked up to the fourth floor of the memorial, the highest point in the cemetery, where you can see to Lake Erie. I did not, and Linda said I would have had a hard time with the stairs, particularly coming down on the winding narrow steps.
From there, we went to the Wade Memorial Chapel. Louis C. Tiffany designed the entire interior. Here’s the window seen when you enter the chapel.
However, the interior was designed by Louis C. Tiffany. “From the mosaic tile floor with its swirly design, up to the simple wood pews, and finally to the walls. The left and right walls contain massive panels consisting of thousands of cut pieces of mosaic glass, showcasing the ‘River of Life’ and the ‘River of Death.” (From Clevelandhistorical.org)
We had just time for one more site before the cemetery closed. I wanted to see the tombstone for Eliot Ness.
From there, we headed toward back to Mom’s, but I stopped at Quarry Hill in Berlin Heights first. Quarry Hill is an orchard. We bought apples and apple ice cream, and Mom made apple crisp for dessert. I’m putting in a plug for another Berlin Heights orchard right here. On the way up, Linda and I stopped at Burnham Orchards for apple cider. Burnham’s is a seventh generation family business, and I try to get there once every October for their cider.
Just a fun family adventure. We’re already talking about a spring trip to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron. There’s so much to see in Ohio!
Stan Hywet Hall
Looks like a fun trip and I love the pictures, particularly the windmill and the memorial. I love those stone buildings.
Jackie is with you on climbing the stairs, even before the surgery. In fact, even when we were young, when it came to climbing stairs for a view, she’d sit downstairs while I climbed to the top, whether it was Notre-Dame in Paris to see the gargoyle or St. Peters in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. In fact, in Paris I had to do Notre-Dame twice, to show it to my cousin Karen a few days after climbing it with a friend. Plus, Jackie does not like heights, so St. Peters would have freaked her out.
It’s great that you sisters are so close.
Jackie & I have more in common than just our reading taste, Jeff. I don’t like heights, either. And, I gave up on steps when we were at a castle in Ireland. I stayed in the great hall while Linda and Kevin went up. However, I lucked out. A tour came through while I was sitting there, and I got to hear everything the tour guide said about the hall.
I don’t have knee or hip problems. I think it’s my low center of gravity and weight, but I just don’t do steep stairs. If there’s a rail and I have to do some stairs, I can if there’s no hurry.
I thought the windmill was fascinating, and it was a working one at one time.
Loved the photos. Very interesting ceiling! I am only 80 but no to stairs, your mother is amazing! I bet she could do the stairs inside the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the Circle, downtown, Indy!
I think my Mom could do anything. She walks all the time, and my sisters said they were impressed with Mom doing the steps at the Memorial. Not for me!
Isn’t the celing fascinating? Beautiful home and then both the Memorial and the Chapel, too.
Amazing memorial building! Looked like the perfect day!
Mary, It was a beautiful day, sunny and in the 60s. In fact, we did a selfie with all four of us, but it didn’t come out because of the sun.
I didn’t take more pictures inside the Memorial, but everything is impressive there.
What a great day! i love going on these adventures with you and your family
It was so much fun, Kaye. And, tomorrow, Linda and I have a tour hour walking tour of Green Lawn Cemetery here in Columbus. We’re already planning a spring adventure, as I said!
Thanks for sending all the photos. Absolutely gorgeous. I would have loved seeing it all, especially inside Garfield House. And that chapel! What a great trip, with your favourite people.
Yes, a fun trip with people I love, Lindy. The house, especially the library, is worth seeing. And, the chapel is gorgeous with all the work Tiffany and his “girls” did. The tour guide did say she has a hard time saying Tiffany’s girls.
Sounds like the whole day was fun. I particularly enjoy your photo of the Tiffany window. Last month in NYC, I saw a large collection of Tiffany lamps at the New York Historical Society, so Tiffany’s glass has been on my mind.
I’ve seen scattered exhibits here and there in the country, Kim, with Tiffany glass, in Chicago and elsewhere. Tomorrow, Linda and I are going to Green Lawn Cemetery here in Columbus. The Huntington Chapel there also has stained glass windows and murals designed by Tiffany Studios.
Very cool. Thank you for sharing the pictures and everything.
It was just a fun day with family, Kevin. I had to show what happens when we go gallivanting.
You will not be disappointed with Stan Hywet Hall if you go in the spring. I grew up not too far from there and the house and grounds are so beautiful! They host so many public events, like Ohio Mart, to ensure the public still has access to such a beautiful property. Great history as well!