herbert hoover presidential library and museum

We've driven by the signs for this museum many times as we head west on I-80 through Iowa. We finally had a chance to make the side trip over there. This was very interesting. President Hoover provided much more to our country throughout his career than just what happened during his presidency. It was fascinating to learn more about that history. We only had time for the museum, but there is also a whole "village" to visit. We were there on a cold, winter day, but we have promised ourselves that we will go back on a warmer day and see the rest of the exhibits.

This is a great Presidential Library. Have been to almost all of them, and this really compares to the best of them. There is a great permanent display that would take many hours to go through, as well a small exhibit about Iowa baseball (Hoover was a big fan). Hoover gets the blame for the Depression, but I came away with great respect for the man who was a great humanitarian. Don't miss this as you are driving across Iowa.

Stopped after sundown. The entire place is spooky, but kind of in a good way. We were the only ones in the area, and there were little wafts of smoke coming out of all the chimneys, but no lights on anywhere. The statue on the walking path is a little creepy and has a menacing poem affixed to its base. There were no visitors at the gravesite in the rear either, but beautifully landscaped and had the best view in town. All in all, had a good time, and was grateful for the unique chance to explore without a crowd of people around. Nice tribute to a generous man.

This a great place to visit. Great for learning the history of the nation during this era. Mueseum was done well.

The is a great place to get off of I-80 and learn about one of the greatest men to occupy The White House. This museum does a great job of outlining Mr. Hoovers many accomplishments before, during, and after his presidency. Mr. Hoover is blamed by many for The Great Depression. The displays in this museum give a better picture of the complexities that led to the crash.

Herbert Hoover is probably one of the most misunderstood people who has been a US president.First president born west of the Mississippi River, he was orphaned at an early age and raised by an aunt and uncle. Put himself through Stanford University, funded in part by a number of campus businesses that he started.Became wealthy as a mining engineer. Oversaw highly successful famine relief efforts in Europe after WW I. Successful Secretary of Commerce in the 1920's which led to his being elected president. The seeds of the Great Depression were well established when he took office, and he had the misfortune to be there when it happened. Hoover was a first rate administrator but a lousy politician when what he needed were political skills. Defeated for re-election in 1932 by FDR and demonized for the following 12 years, President Truman brought him back into government to oversee famine relief after WW II. Hoover served the rest of his life in a variety of volunteer and philanthropic roles, donating much of his considerable self-made fortune to numerous charitable causes.The library does a very good job showing all the facets of Mr. and Mrs. Hoover's lives. Not a big one, you can tour it and the grounds in just a couple of hours. Easily accessible off I-80, it's well worth the stop.

This is an excellent place to visit and pay your respects to President Hoover. The history shared in the museum about the man, his relationship to the rest of the world, his intelligence and sacrifice made for the rest of the world is altogether different than the way it is depicted in the history books. Truly a great man that deserves to have history set straight.

The museum was hosting first ladies gowns, very nice displays.Total museum experience very satisfying and informative. Great value, great staff, easy access and ample parking.

I found the Herbert hoover Presidential Historic Site to be very interesting and educational. The media has always portrayed Hoover as a villain who caused the Great Depression, but it turns out that is nothing but propaganda mostly from the Roosevelt family. If anything, Hoover was someone who cared deeply for his country and poor and was a man of service to be greatly admired. The museum goes into great detail about his activities. There is also a little village that shows the world he grew up in and his Quaker beginnings. The village is free, the only charge is for the museum.I will agree with some of the criticism of this museum, it seems to skip around, and I left not really understanding how this humble man could become President. There is certainly no way he could become elected today. But overall, the exhibits were interesting and I learned a lot.Very easy access from I-80, but a little bit confusing to find the entrance . There is a parking lot for the museum and another for the park headquarters, but an easy walk between them. You can drive or walk to the gravesite.

Many of us grew up being taught that Herbert Hoover caused the Great Depression. He did not. He just happened to be president and really did not know how to address the problem. He had a remarkable life before he was president and a remarkable life after. This museum tells the story of his life and his wife Lou. Just off I 80 east of Iowa City. Take the time to stop.

It was only natural to visit here while visiting the Herbert Hoover NHS.Depending on how much time you have to devote, both the NHS and Library can be done on the same day.There is a small entrance fee for the library/museum and the exhibits are self-guided. There are a tremendous number of exhibits to see from Herbert Hoover's life and a lot to read. We spent a good hour or so going through the museum, which was far too fast as there were many things I skimmed.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because some of the interactive videos were not functioning, there were few interactive exhibits, and after experiencing the awesome tour wands at the NHS, had hoped there would be some for the Library.However, this is definitely someplace to visit again and devote more time to exploring!

We visited the historic area first for about an hour to watch a short film on President Hoover's childhood and to visit his birthplace, the Quaker meeting House, the blacksmith shop and the one room schoolhouse.Then we walked the short distance to the Library and Museum. The Library is for researchers but the museum is open for a small fee. It has interesting displays of all stages of Hoover's life . There is not much on his family, as Hoover guarded their privacy, but the guides showed us a family tree and talked about how the one surviving grandson and many great grandchildren still visit.There was a special exhibit showing a dress (and in a few cases other apparel such as a Scout uniform) from each of the First Ladies. Even my husband enjoyed this exhibit that also included some information on each First Lady.We thought the movie at the Museum, the memorabilia, and the placards all combined to make an interesting museum. We have visited several Presidential homes and libraries, and we thought the combination of the historic area with the museum was very well done.

We learned a lot about Herbert Hoover that we weren't aware of previously. Very informative. The burial area was simple but moving.

We visited several Presidential museums and found some more interesting than others. We knew very little about Hoover beyond the dam that bears his name and the fact that he presided over the Great Depression. The museum did not seamlessly take us through his life before public service or his time in government. At several points we needed to backtrack to see where we might have missed the information that would bridge the gap between one timeline caption and another. Unfortunately many times we found that the timeline just jumps with no explanation. Very frustrating. But, Hoover was an amazing man. Well worth learning how this self made man came from an orphan background to incredible riches only to turn his back on that career to help feed starving children during and after WW1. Incredible. Great inspirational leader.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site consist of President Hoover’s birthplace cottage, a blacksmith shop, school house, Quaker Meeting house and the graves of President Hoover and Mrs. Hoover. Time needed to visit all of it at least 3 hours. The library/museum is very educational, start by watching a interesting film. Than follow the well laid out time displays, from birth, childhood in Iowa, his family struggles, his career, presidential years, continuing though to the Waldorf Towers in New York where he spent his final years of his life. You will learn things about Herbert Hoover the man and our 31st President we have never heard before.We love to visit presidential sites and have visited 12 presidential libraries and many presidential homes. Some of the museums can be a little over whelming. Not this one, it is laid out very well, easy to follow and very educational. Time needed at least three hours. The grounds are nice and should be colorful in the fall.