This week was Presidents Day which is always one of my favorite days to focus on history. We celebrate all presidents on this day that commemorates George Washington’s birthday and also takes place in the month of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. It is a good excuse to learn more about the men who have led our country through its highs and lows, and of course, I also think we should look at the women who stood by the presidents as well.
One of my goals in life is to visit every presidential and first lady historical site. I keep a list on my website that is constantly updated with the more obscure sites I find during my Booking It Through History: First Ladies project. So far, I have been to over sixty sites on this list! My favorite sites are listed below as well as some sites that are on my bucket list!
Favorite Presidential Sites
Favorite Presidential Library
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, California
I visited this library ten years ago and can’t wait to go back! It contains memorabilia like the suit he was wearing when he was shot and a replica of his Oval Office. The biggest thrill is actually walking onto his Air Force One! It is a must-see!
Favorite Birthplace
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, Hodgenville, Kentucky
This site really brings to life President Lincoln’s humble beginnings. It even contains a replica of his birthplace cabin. It’s so interesting that it’s just down the road from both his wife’s home (see below).
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historical Site, New York City, New York
For a very different experience, head to this replica of Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace in a NYC brownstone. It contains the very bed in which President Roosevelt was born and details his sickly childhood as a scientist and adventurer. It also contains the shirt he was wearing when he was shot – even showing the thick speech he had in his pocket that prevented the bullet from causing too much damage!
Favorite Home
Mount Vernon, Alexandria, Virginia
The grand dame of presidential homes is George Washington’s Mount Vernon. It just completed a multi-year renovation, so I cannot wait to see it during this Women’s Leadership Summit in two weeks! It is THE presidential site to visit in all of America.
Adams National Historical Park, Quincy, Massachusetts
Near Boston are the birthplaces and home sites for two presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Visiting the three homes is so educational as you see the life of colonial America all the way through the mid-19th century. The park rangers are knowledgeable and helpful – just make sure it’s open before you go as their hours vary.
Favorite Museum
James Monroe Museum, Fredericksburg, Virginia
This small but mighty museum in the quaint town of Fredericksburg contains many amazing artifacts from the Monroes including a beautiful dress worn by Elizabeth. It tells of President Monroe’s bravery in the American Revolution and his indelible stamp on foreign policy which we still see today. It’s a fascinating place!
Favorite Church
St. John’s Church (Church of the Presidents), Washington, DC
Every president since James Madison has worshipped in these pews! There are prayer benches with every president’s name and one of the stained glass windows was donated to the church by President Chester Arthur in memory of his recently deceased wife. It’s a lovely place to visit!
Favorite Statue
Statues of eight presidents at the Virginia Capitol, Richmond, Virginia
Virginia is the Mother of Presidents and her eight sons who became president are honored in the state capitol. I especially love the Houdon statue of George Washington which is the only one made from his exact measurements and likeness. This is a special place!
Favorite Off the Beaten Path Site
President Lincoln’s Cottage, Washington, DC
This is always my favorite hidden gem to tell folks to visit in DC. This cottage is where President Lincoln and Mary would escape to during Washington’s hot summers. It was in these rooms that President Lincoln wrote his Emancipation Proclamation and where Mary healed after the death of their son. It is a meaningful site to visit.
Favorite Burial Site
Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Hollywood Cemetery is home to not just one presidential tomb but two! James Monroe and John Tyler are both buried here along with their wives (and children in James Monroe’s case). It is truly a spectacular site along the James River in Richmond.
Bucket List Presidential Historical Sites
There are so many more presidential sites I want to visit!
There are so many Abraham Lincoln-related sites here that I need to go for a week!
Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, New York
High on my list is the home of Theordore and Edith Roosevelt on Long Island. It is left as a time capsule of their adventures!
Grouseland, Vincennes, Indiana
I really want to visit this home of William Henry and Anna Harrison that was, during their time, on the frontier. It was fortified against Native American attacks and is unlike any other presidential home.
Grant Cottage State Historic Site, Mount McGregor, New York
This is the place where President Grant wrote his memoirs before his passing. He is one of my most admired presidents, and I think this would be a meaningful place to visit in his honor.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
This has been on my bucket list forever! Hopefully one day, I will make it all the way out to South Dakota to see this site.
Favorite First Lady Sites
Favorite Birthplace
Edith Wilson Birthplace Museum, Wytheville, Virginia
I loved learning more about this trail-blazing first lady at her humble birthplace. You really get a sense of how she fought for her place in life.
Favorite Home
Mary Todd Lincoln House, Lexington, Kentucky
You can imagine the diminutive future first lady running down the stairs in this beautiful home near downtown Lexington. It also contains many artifacts from both of the Lincolns and is a good place to learn about Mary’s sad beginnings. She was destined for sorrow.
Favorite Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts
While not focused solely on Jackie Kennedy, this museum has an extensive collection of her writings, photos, and dresses on display. I especially love the exhibit about her renovations of the White House that includes a recording of her appearance on national TV.
Favorite Church
All Hallows by the Tower of London, London England
This was the home church for future first lady Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams and is where she married John Quincy in 1797. It is the oldest church in the City of London and was almost destroyed in the Blitz. They have a wonderful display about the Adamses and have their marriage certificate on display.
Favorite Statue
Abigail Adams, Quincy, Massachusetts
There aren’t many statues of First Ladies, but I love this one that honors Abigail. As a founding mother, she deserves to be remembered along with her husband and son who have statues nearby.
Favorite Off the Beaten Path Site
Dolley Madison House, Washington, DC
Just across the street from the White House is the home where Dolley Madison spent the last years of her life. She often sat on this very porch and watched the growth of Lafayette Square around her, casting her eyes on the Presidential mansion that she had to flee before it was burned to the ground by the British. What an amazing full circle moment for her! You can’t visit the interior but there are several placards detailing her time here.
Favorite Burial Site
Abigail and Louisa Adams, United First Parish Church, Quincy, Massachusetts
Two first ladies are buried in the crypt of this church. Neither worshipped above (it wasn’t built until Abigail had already died and Louisa preferred the Episcopal church down the street) but it is the resting place of these two amazing women. I just love the epitaph listed for them.
Bucket List First Lady Historical Sites
National First Ladies Library and Museum, Canton, Ohio
This is TOP of my list to visit! It is housed in Ida McKinley’s home and is THE place to visit to learn about First Ladies! Don’t miss my upcoming virtual talk with the historical site on Friday, May 8th. My dear friend and author Libby McNamee and I will be discussing “First Mothers – First Ladies as Mothers in the White House.” We’d love to have you join us!
Abigail Adams Birthplace, Weymouth, Massachusetts
Just down the road from the Adams homes is Abigail’s birthplace. I hope to visit this summer!
Pat Nixon statue, Cerritos, California
Pat Nixon led an extraordinary life even before marrying Richard Nixon. This statue near the site of her childhood home shows her exuberance for life.
Be sure to print out your presidential checklist and see how many sites you can visit!
