Explore Spiegel Grove, learn about its many trees during tours

        See the many trees of Spiegel Grove at Hayes Presidential Library and Museums and learn about their types and history during a variety of tree tours being offered throughout the year.
        Tours are designed to enhance the experience of walking at Spiegel Grove, an official arboretum and estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, First Lady Lucy Hayes.
        The 25-acre Spiegel Grove has more than 90 species of trees, some of which date back to Hayes’ time on the estate and even earlier. Varieties include chestnut, oak, holly, gingko, various pines and more. A seedling of the Oklahoma City bombing Survivor Tree also has been planted and is thriving on the property.
        The tours last about an hour. Tickets are required and are available at rbhayes.org/news/2023/02/02/general/explore-spiegel-grove-learn-about-its-many-trees-during-tours-offered-throughout-the-year/. They also will be sold at the museum front desk on the days of the events, pending availability.
        The 2023 schedule of tours includes:
        Friday, April 28 – Arbor Day Sunrise Tree Tour. Departs at 7:30 a.m. from the Hayes Home verandah. Learn how wassail, a cider drink popular during the Victorian era, was used to “wake up” the apple trees and scare away bad spirits. The tour will highlight some of the unique trees at the grove. Afterward, enjoy wassail and breakfast sweets on the verandah. Tickets are $12 for nonmembers and $8 for Hayes Presidential members.
        Saturday, May 6 – Mystic Giants Tree Tour. Departs from the museum at 10 a.m. View some of the larger trees at Spiegel Grove, learn how to determine the age of trees and how trees affect their environment. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger.
        Saturday, June 10 – Tree Tour. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Walk the arboretum and learn about the different trees. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger.
        Wednesday, June 14 – Trees Named in Honor. Departs the museum at 5:30 p.m. Learn the stories of the people who visited Spiegel Grove who had trees named in their honor. Tickets are free for members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger. Afterward, stay for the free Verandah Concert.
        Saturday, July 1 – Tree Tour. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Walk the arboretum and learn about the different trees. Tickets are free HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger.
        Wednesday, July 12 – Mystic Giants Tree Tour. Departs from the museum at 5:30 p.m. View some of the larger trees at Spiegel Grove, learn how to determine the age of trees and how trees affect their environment. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger. Afterward, stay for the free Verandah Concert.
        Wednesday, Aug. 9 – Gates and Trees. Departs the museum at 5:30 p.m. Explore the trees at Spiegel Grove. Visit the White House gates at the entrances to Spiegel Grove and learn some of the stories about them. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger. Afterward, stay for the free Verandah Concert.
        Saturday, Aug. 12 – Trees Named in Honor. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Learn the stories of the people who visited Spiegel Grove who had trees named in their honor. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger.
        Saturday, Sept. 2 - Gates and Trees. Departs the museum at 10 a.m. Explore the trees at Spiegel Grove. Visit the White House gates at the entrances to Spiegel Grove and learn some of the stories about them. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger.
        Saturday, Sept. 30 – Tree Tour. Departs the museum at 12:30 p.m. Walk the arboretum and learn about the different trees. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Tickets are free for HPLM members and for nonmembers are $10 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18 and free for ages 5 and younger.
        The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum named Spiegel Grove a level 1 arboretum for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. Level 1 arboreta have fewer than 100 species of trees. Spiegel Grove is close to reaching Level 2 status, which is for 100 and more species.
        Spiegel Grove is also recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
        Hayes Presidential is located at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues in Fremont.
        For information, call 419-332-2081, visit rbhayes.org or follow Hayes Presidential on social media.