Visit the National First Ladies Library & Museum
Visitors to First Ladies National Historic Site should begin their visit at the Museum and Visitor Center at 205 Market Avenue South (at the corner of Market Avenue and Second Street). Free parking is available two blocks south at the National Historic Site Parking Lot near the Saxton-McKinley House.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Summer Hours in 2024 (May 1 - October 31) are Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Off-Season Hours (October 31, 2024-April 30, 2025) are Thursday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
ACCESSIBILITY
he Ida Saxton McKinley House (331 Market Ave. S) is a historic building which does contain stairs alongside an elevator system which is wheelchair accessible. The First Ladies Library & Museum/Visitor Center (205 Market Ave. S) is also a historic building, also contains stairs, and has a wheelchair accessible elevator. Wheelchair accessibility for the Museum/Visitor’s Center is located on the south side of the building. Public bathrooms are available in the Museum/Visitor’s Center on floors LL-2.
Parking: Parking is free in the National Historic Site Parking Lot at the corner of Market Avenue South and Third Street. All visits, tours, and events begin at the Visitor Center/Museum at 205 Market Ave. South. See the attached parking map.
For more information on planning your experience, visit the First Ladies National Historic Site website.
Available Tour Offerings:
Ranger-Led Public Tours of the Historic Saxton-McKinley House (50 min.)
Available first-come, first served during historic site visitor hours (see above).
This tour of the historic Saxton-McKinley House is led by Park Rangers from the National Park Service. The house was the childhood home of First Lady Ida Saxton-McKinley and was also the Canton home of President & Mrs. McKinley during William McKinley’s time in office. The home has been meticulously restored to its late-1800s Victorian splendor.
These tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis during the hours that the site is open (see hours above).
$7/adult; $6/senior; $5/children under 18
America the Beautiful Passholders: $4
Every Kid Outdoors, Military, and Access Passholders along with children under the age of 2: Free
Ranger-led group tours of the Saxton House are available on a limited basis for groups between 10-30 people. For reservation requests, please email FILA_Info@nps.gov.
Guided Group Tour of the “Leaders in Literacy” Exhibit
Group tours with guide(s) are by appointment only during designated hours. Please note that at this time, guided tours are only available for groups of more than 8 people. For smaller groups and individuals, the exhibit is currently free and open to the public for self-guided experiences during our open hours.
Our one-hour, guided tour showcases our featured 2024-25 featured exhibit, “Leaders in Literacy: First Ladies as Teachers, Educators, and Librarians” and is given by a member of our expert curatorial staff from the National First Ladies Library & Museum.
$16/adult; $14/senior; $10/children 12 and under
*Groups must register at least three weeks prior to their requested tour date. Group tours require an 8-person minimum. Tour groups over 20 have the potential to be split up into rotations and need approval from the Director of Education.
For reservation requests, please email the Director of Education sbohnak@firstladies.org or call 440-717-3753.
Combo Tour: Guided Group Tour of the “Leaders in Literacy” Exhibit PLUS the Historic Saxton-McKinley House (2 hrs.)
Guide Group Tours with guide(s) are by appointment only during designated hours. Please note that at this time, guided tours are only available for groups of more than 8 people. For smaller groups and individuals, the exhibit is currently free and open to the public for self-guided experiences during our open hours.
Enjoy a one-hour tour of our featured 2024-25 exhibit, “Leaders in Literacy: First Ladies as Teachers, Educators, and Librarians,” given by a member of our expert curatorial staff from the National First Ladies Library & Museum, PLUS a guided one-hour tour of the historic Saxton-McKinley House, childhood home of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley and the Canton home of President & Mrs. McKinley during William McKinley’s time in office. This home has been grandly restored to its late-1800s Victorian splendor.
$20/adult; $18/senior; $12/children 12 and under
*Groups must register at least three weeks prior to their requested tour date. Group tours require an 8-person minimum. Tour groups over 20 have the potential to be split up into rotations and need approval from the Director of Education.
For reservation requests, please email the Director of Education sbohnak@firstladies.org or call 440-717-3753.
Charter Bus Tours of the First Ladies National Historic Site
Charter Bus Tours must be arranged at least three weeks in advance. Tour options may vary depending on tour size. Please note that we will try to accommodate your group to the best of our abilities.
$200/bus for up to 40 people
For reservation requests, please email the Director of Education sbohnak@firstladies.org or call 440-717-3753.
Group Tour Policies
Reservations and Group Sizes
Group tour reservations are made by appointment only. Specialized guided tours last between one and two hours depending on reservation request. Please make your reservation at least three weeks in advance to guarantee the time and date of your preferred visit.
Group tours are arranged for 8 or more individuals at the fees listed above. Due to the historic nature of the Ida Saxton McKinley House, we can only accommodate up to 15 participants in the house at one time. For groups larger than 15 wishing to participate in this tour, please reach out to the Director of Education at sbohnak@firstladies.org to see how we can best accommodate your request.
Large groups exceeding 15 participants may be divided into smaller groups to rotate through the tour. Please note that due to the historic nature of our buildings, we are unable to accommodate more than one coach bus or school bus of visitors at a time.
Please reach out to the Director of Education to discuss options regarding especially large groups as part of the rotation can include other nearby sites with enough advanced notice.
Schools, Youth, and Homeschool Groups: If your group exceeds 15 participants and includes a variety of ages within the group, it is helpful to divide them into age groups. Please make chaperone assignments prior to your arrival.
Deposit and Cancellations
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required to secure your reservation two weeks prior to your visit and will be applied to the overall balance. The remaining balance is to be paid at the reservation start time.
If any reservation information changes between the initial reservation request and tour date, please notify the Director of Education as soon as possible. In the event that you need to cancel your reservation, it must be received by our office a minimum of 48 hours to your scheduled arrival. If your cancellation is received with 48 hours’ notice, your tour is adjustable and transferrable and can be rescheduled.
Tour Procedures
Groups are asked to arrive on time at the agreed upon starting location. If you will not be able to arrive on time, please call the Director of Education at 440-717-1753. We cannot guarantee having a tour guide available earlier than the agreed upon start time and appreciate your patience. Should you arrive 15 or more minutes later than the designated start time, you will forfeit your tour reservation and fees.
You are welcome to explore our gift shop before and after your tour.
Smoking, food, and drinks are not allowed in exhibits or historical buildings like the Ida Saxton McKinley House.
Please silence all cell phones before the tour begins.
Non-flash photography is permitted but any commercial use must be approved by the National First Ladies Library CEO & Executive Director.
Parking and Bus Unloading
Visitors who arrive via car for tours may park in the designated lot next to the Ida Saxton McKinley House on Market Street S. There is additional parking in the garage between the Museum and the historic house, but please note that there is a parking fee.
Buses may park along Third Street South near the corner of Third and Market Avenue. Please notify the Director of Education at sbohnak@firstladies.org or 440-717-1753 if you will be arriving via tour bus so that we can ensure parking is available for you.
Accessibility
The Ida Saxton McKinley House (331 Market Ave. S) is a historic building which does contain stairs alongside an elevator system which is wheelchair accessible. The First Ladies Library & Museum/Visitor Center (205 Market Ave. S) is also a historic building, also contains stairs, and has a wheelchair accessible elevator. Wheelchair accessibility for the Museum/Visitor’s Center is located on the south side of the building.
Please inform the Director of Education at the time of reservation if there are any accessibility concerns or accommodation needed for your visit.
Public bathrooms are available in the Museum/Visitor’s Center on floors LL-2.
Information for Field Trips:
Embark on an educational adventure with our museum's captivating field trips, suitable for both homeschool and public/private schools. Our programs, designed for diverse age groups, feature engaging exhibits and enriching lessons that foster curiosity and critical thinking. Proudly affiliated with Twinkl, we seamlessly integrate their educational resources to enhance the learning experience for all students.
To schedule your personalized field trip, please contact our Director of Education at 440-717-3753 or email sbohnak@firstladies.org
For More Information
If you have questions or would like to arrange a specialized group tour at the National First Ladies Library & Museum, please call or email our Director of Education at 440-717-3753 or email at sbohnak@firstladies.org
