FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                     Nancy Kleinhenz Communications Manager

419-332-2081, ext. 217

January 4, 2012

Restoration progress leads to temporary closure of Hayes Home

FREMONT – The Hayes Presidential Center is in the final stages of its four-year restoration of the home of 19^th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes. To allow work to progress, the Hayes Home temporarily will not be open for tours. The temporary closure is to begin Tuesday, January 24 and continue through Wednesday, February 29. The Hayes Museum and Hayes Library are not affected. Both continue to be open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

During this stage of the restoration process, historically accurate wallpaper is to be installed in the downstairs and upstairs hallways, as well as in the stairwell. The butternut and black walnut stairs in the Hayes Home extend an impressive three stories from the center of the downstairs hall to the glass-sided lantern at the rooftop. Experts from Historic Wallpaper Specialties in Johnson City, TN, need to erect a complex network of scaffolding in the halls and stairwells. In keeping with 19^th-century standards, the workers will apply sizing to the walls, followed by a layer of muslin, the main wallpaper, and finally the decorative frieze papers.

Center officials consulted with historic restoration experts to re-create the wallpapers selected by Rutherford and Lucy Hayes for their home. Black and white photographs of the home’s interior taken during the Hayeses residence provided guidance for patterns and placements. Entries in the family’s diaries as well as stories published in newspapers of the time aided in selection of colors. The wallpapers then were re-created using papers, inks, and methods employed in the 19^th Century.

Restoration of the Hayes Home is made possible thanks to a $400,000 federal appropriation from Save America’s Treasures. The late Congress Paul Gillmor was instrumental in securing the appropriation, which required the Hayes Presidential Center to raise matching funds. Generous businesses and individuals from throughout the country have contributed to the project. The State of Ohio contributed $500,000 from its Capital Improvement funds.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center is located at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont, Ohio. The facility is affiliated with the Ohio Historical Society. Check the Hayes Presidential Center website for a complete list of year-round special events.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    

Nancy Kleinhenz

Communications Manager

419-332-2081, ext. 217

December 20, 2011

This holiday season enjoy a sleigh ride through a presidential estate

FREMONT – Regardless of your age, Christmas conjures up the ageless images of frosty air, evergreen boughs, sparkling lights, and horse-drawn sleighs. The Hayes Presidential Center makes those images come to life in its Sleigh Rides through Spiegel Grove. The magnificent Clydesdale horses from South Creek Clydesdales in Fremont provide the horsepower for these special holiday outings through the estate of 19^th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes. Rides are offered 1-4 p.m. December 27 through December 31 on the grounds of the Hayes Presidential Center. Cost is $3 per rider.

Tickets are available the day of event and can be purchased inside the Hayes Museum. Families are encouraged to make a day of it by touring the Hayes Museum, where two special exhibits – CIVIL WAR: Battlefield & Homefront and Hayes Train Special - are on display. The latter is an interactive operating model train display featuring eight 19^th-century-style trains. Museum admission is $7.50/adult, $6.50/senior age 60+, and $3.00/children 6-12; entrance to both exhibits is included in the ticket price. The historic Hayes Home also is open for tours. Admission prices are the same as for the Museum; however, substantial savings is available by purchasing a Combination Ticket, which gains entry to both buildings.

For more information about events at the Hayes Presidential Center, call 419-332-2081 or  800-998-PRES. A complete list of year-round activities is available on the Center’s website www.rbhayes.org.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center is located at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont, Ohio. The facility is affiliated with the Ohio Historical Society.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Angie Morelock

101 S. Front Street

Fremont, OH  43420

419-332-8696

Fax:  419-332-8666

21st Annual Festival of Lights Parade

Fremont, Ohio, September 26, 2011- Downtown Fremont is currently seeking participants for the 21^st annual Festival of Lights Holiday Parade.  The parade will take place on Saturday, December 3rd at 4:00 p.m.  All local groups, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in this event. 

The parade route will be Rodger Young Park, traveling North on Front Street and turning West on Croghan Street and ending at Flag Park. 

For more information, or to register for the parade, please visit www.downtownfremontohio.org or contact Valerie at 419-355-2350 or Peggy at 419-333-2917.  The registration deadline is November 14, 2011. 

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