RUTHERFORD B. HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

What RUTHERFORD B. HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER does

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating America's first presidential library, established in 1916 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio. It runs a museum, a guided-tour 31-room presidential mansion, a research library holding 90,000+ books/manuscripts/images spanning the 1877-1881 Hayes presidency and the Gilded Age, a 25-acre accredited arboretum with 1,700+ trees, and a research library. Its technology centerpiece is the Ohio Obituary Index — a Caspio-powered cloud database of 3.7M+ indexed names sourced from 60+ Ohio partner libraries, mirrored on Ancestry.com, Archives.com, and FindMyPast.com.

The organization serves four primary customer segments: genealogists and family history researchers (the largest research audience), K-12 students and educators (through school tours, virtual visits, the Teen Museum Council, and the Gilded Teachers League), tourists and history enthusiasts (admissions, home tours, events), and local community members (facility rentals, the Verandah Concert Series, the Spiegel Grove Squires vintage base ball team, the Spiegel Grove Stroll walking club). Revenue is generated through a multi-stream model: tiered admissions ($5-$20), annual memberships starting at $50 with genealogy benefits (MyHeritage and NewspaperArchive subscriptions), retail merchandise, fee-based research services ($4-$200), facility rentals for events, corporate and event sponsorships, and Ohio Obituary Index partnership fees ($1,500 onboarding + $300 annual per partner library). The organization is partially funded by the State of Ohio through its affiliation with the Ohio History Connection, and publishes the quarterly Statesman newsletter. Free grounds access and discounted programs (Museums for All, Blue Star Museums, $2.50 America 250 site passes) reflect a mission-driven, accessibility-focused operating posture.

Name

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

Legal name

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

Website

https://rbhayes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating America's first presidential library at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, serving genealogists, K-12 educators, tourists, and the local community through a museum, guided home tours, a research library, the Ohio Obituary Index database (3.7M+ names), educational programs, and event facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Museum and Presidential Library Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Libraries and Archives (51921), Historical Sites (712120), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

History Museums (THAJADAB), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Archives, Special Collections & Preservation Operations (Rare Materials, Conservation) (EDAEAGAJ), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

Keywords

• Presidential library services
• Historical museum exhibits
• Genealogy research services
• Educational heritage programs
• Cultural site tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Fremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission and Ticket Sales: Revenue from museum and home tour admissions, with tiered pricing for adults ($20), seniors ($18), military ($18), teens ($10), and children ($5). Members receive free unlimited admission.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions at various levels ($50 and above) providing free admission, discounts at the store, genealogy benefits including MyHeritage and NewspaperArchive subscriptions.
3. Retail Store: Sale of merchandise including apparel, books, Rutherford & Lucy Hayes branded items, ornaments ($28), collector coins ($10), and general merchandise.
4. Research Services: Genealogy and archival research services with fees ranging from $4 to $200 depending on complexity. Includes obituary orders at $4 each.
5. Facility Rentals: Rental of estate facilities for events, weddings, and gatherings at Spiegel Grove.
6. Sponsorships and Programs: Squirrel door sponsorships ($30), grounds tours, and corporate sponsorships for events like Verandah Concerts.
7. Ohio Obituary Index Partnership Fees: Libraries pay a one-time fee of $1,500 to join the network, plus $300 annual maintenance fee for web hosting and support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The organization operates America's first presidential library and museum complex at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, providing museum exhibits, guided tours of the 31-room Hayes Home, access to a research library of over 90,000 items, the Ohio Obituary Index digital database with 3,700,000+ indexed names, and educational programs. It also runs a 25-acre accredited arboretum, facility rentals, a museum store, membership program, and event programming including Verandah Concerts and the Spiegel Grove Squires vintage base ball team.

Product overview

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America's first presidential library, established in 1916, offering a unified portfolio of museum, library, and educational services. The core offerings include the Hayes Museum with rotating and permanent exhibits featuring artifacts and documents from the 19th presidency; guided tours of the 31-room Hayes Home; the Research Library with over 90,000 items and special collections; and the Ohio Obituary Index digital database serving genealogists across Ohio. The 25-acre Spiegel Grove estate doubles as an accredited arboretum. Educational initiatives include the Teen Museum Council for high school students and the Gilded Teachers League for educators. Ancillary offerings encompass facility rentals, a museum store, membership programs, the Verandah Concert Series, and the Spiegel Grove Squires vintage base ball team. The organization publishes the quarterly Statesman newsletter and annual reports. The site serves as both a historical institution and community gathering space, offering free grounds access and paid tours of interior spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ohio Obituary Index: An online resource created by the library that allows people to find their ancestor's obituary, with over 3,700,000 indexed names from over 60 partner libraries across Ohio.

Products and services

• Hayes Museum The Hayes Museum tells the story of President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes through exhibits featuring 19th-century artifacts, documents, and images from the 1877-1881 presidency. It is targeted at tourists, history enthusiasts, school groups, and researchers visiting Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio.
• Hayes Home Tours Guided one-hour tours of the 31-room Hayes Home mansion offered daily at various times, covering the first floor of the residence and including historical information about President Hayes, his ancestors, and colonial-era history. Targeted at tourists, history enthusiasts, school groups, and members.
• Research Library A research library housing over 90,000 books, manuscripts, and images reflecting Hayes' special interests including genealogy, local history, and the Gilded Age period. Provides access to special collections and the Ohio Obituary Index for genealogists, family history researchers, and academic scholars.
• Ohio Obituary Index An online database of over 3,700,000 indexed names from obituary, marriage, will, and estate records across 60+ Ohio partner libraries, cross-indexed by maiden names and previous married names. Users can search the database online and order copies of obituaries from partner libraries throughout Ohio. Targeted at genealogists and family history researchers.
• Spiegel Grove Estate and Arboretum A 25-acre estate containing the Hayes Museum, 31-room Hayes Home mansion, burial site of President and Mrs. Hayes, and an ArbNet Level 2 accredited arboretum with over 1,700 trees and over 117 species. The site includes a mile of paved trails and is dog-friendly, offering free grounds access to the public.
• Teen Museum Council A leadership program for students in grades 9-12 from Northwest Ohio providing mentorship, job shadowing, exhibit design experience, research training, and volunteer opportunities in the public history field. Members pay a $25 fee and must complete a capstone project. Targeted at high school students interested in public history careers.
• Gilded Teachers League A free virtual program for middle and high school social studies teachers providing yearly resource guides centered on civic education topics, primary source recommendations, Zoom sessions with public history professionals, and access to a community for sharing educational resources. Targeted at K-12 social studies educators.
• Membership Program Annual membership starting at $50 providing free unlimited admission, member-only events, discounts at the museum store, genealogy benefits including one-year subscriptions to MyHeritage and NewspaperArchive, and reciprocal benefits with partner institutions. Targeted at repeat visitors, genealogists, and supporters of the institution.
• Museum Store Online and on-site retail store selling apparel, books, merchandise, Rutherford B. Hayes and Lucy Hayes themed items including ornaments ($28), collector coins ($10), gift cards ($10-$100 denominations), and general historical merchandise. Members receive discounts on online purchases. Targeted at tourists, members, and gift buyers.
• Facility Rentals Rental of Spiegel Grove estate facilities for weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings. The historic estate provides venues for various occasions on the grounds. Targeted at event planners, wedding organizers, and community groups.
• Genealogy Research Services Fee-based genealogy and archival research services including obituary orders at $4 each and custom research at $20 per hour plus copying fees. Targeted at genealogists, family history researchers, and individuals seeking assistance locating historical records.
• Ohio Obituary Index Library Partnership Program A partnership program enabling Ohio public libraries to contribute obituary data to the shared Ohio Obituary Index database. Partner libraries pay a one-time $1,500 onboarding fee plus $300 annual maintenance for web hosting, Caspio database access, and ongoing support. Targeted at Ohio public libraries seeking shared genealogical infrastructure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 obituary orders fulfilled since 2000
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ohio History ConnectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated organization providing partial state funding. Hayes Presidential is partially funded by the state of Ohio through this partnership.
• Ohio Obituary Index Partner Libraries (60+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of over 60 Ohio libraries from Defiance to Marietta contributing obituary data. Libraries pay $1,500 one-time fee plus $300 annual maintenance. Partners include Tiffin Seneca Public Library and others.
• Fremont Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Verandah Concert series at Spiegel Grove.
• ProMedica Memorial HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdditional funding for Verandah Concerts series.
• Whirlpool Corp.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Spiegel Grove Squires vintage base ball team.
• FriendShip KitchenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Spiegel Grove Stroll walking club wellness program.
• Mosser ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2026 Squirrel Doors educational program.
• Crown Battery Mfg. Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of July 4th Independence Day Concert.
• USS Spiegel Grove AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans organization for USS Spiegel Grove ship, partnering on bell display dedication and July 4th ceremony.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum: NARA-operated presidential library with similar museum, archives, and educational programming model. Comparable as a mid-tier federal presidential library and as a benchmark for the operational scale and programming sophistication the Hayes Center aspires to or competes against.
• National First Ladies Library & Museum: Northeast Ohio-based heritage site focused on First Ladies' history, operating with a similar model of historic-house tours, museum exhibits, research library, and educational programming. Directly comparable in mission (presidential family heritage), scale, and operational structure.
• William Howard Taft Presidential Library: Ohio-based presidential heritage site also affiliated with the Ohio History Connection system. Comparable in scale, state-funding model, and 19th/early-20th-century presidential subject focus, serving the same Ohio market.
• James A. Garfield Presidential Library: Ohio-based (Lake County) presidential site operated by the same Ohio History Connection system that partially funds Hayes. Closely comparable in scale, regional scope, state affiliation, and 19th-century presidential subject matter — direct competitor for Ohio presidential tourism.
• Ohio Genealogical Society: Statewide Ohio membership-based genealogy organization providing research resources, publications, and educational programming. Directly comparable with the Hayes Center's genealogy audience and Ohio-focused research mission, competing for the same researcher and member base.
• Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: State-funded (Illinois) presidential library and museum operating with a similar model of museum exhibits, home/presidential site tours, research library, and educational programming. Direct comparable as a state-affiliated (rather than federally operated) presidential heritage site competing for the same presidential tourism market.

Regional players

• Cincinnati History Museum: Ohio regional history museum operating similar exhibit, archive, and educational programming within the same state, competing for Ohio-based tourism, school group visits, and donor pools.
• Toledo Museum of Art: Major regional museum in Northwest Ohio that competes for cultural tourism, school group visits, and donor attention in the same geographic market as the Hayes Center, though with a fundamentally different (art) focus.

Broad incumbents

• Ohio History Connection: The state-affiliated umbrella organization providing partial funding to Hayes Presidential and operating other Ohio historic sites. Functions as both a strategic affiliate and a broader statewide heritage operator with overlapping governance and funding relationships.
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Presidential Libraries: Operates 14 federally-funded presidential libraries (Hoover through Obama). Directly comparable in mission (presidential archives, museum, public programming) but with substantially larger endowments, federal funding, and visitor scale. Represents the dominant institutional competitor in presidential heritage.

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/rbhayespres
• Facebookfacebook.com/fb.me/rbhayespres
• Instagraminstagram.com/rbhayespres
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rutherford-b.-hayes-presidential-center

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about RUTHERFORD B. HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER