Oakwood Cemetery, Sandusky County, Fremont, Ohio

 

Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio

Courtesy Find a Grave

Oakwood Cemetery was established in 1858 when James Vallette from Ballville Township sold twenty-six acres of beautiful oak woods to the newly formed cemetery association.  The location met the needs of the growing city of Fremont, Ohio and its surrounding area. Oakwood Cemetery was located two miles from the center of Fremont on the road to Tiffin along the Sandusky River.  The first recorded burial at the cemetery was Benjamin Munson on October 6, 1860.  Since that date more than 25,000 burials have been recorded. The cemetery has expanded as needed over the years.  Records can be viewed at the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums.

Oakwood Cemetery,  GAR Circle

Courtesy of Find a Grave

The Hayes Circle is located at the main entrance of the cemetery where sons and one daughter of President Rutherford B. Hayes and Lucy Webb Hayes are buried.  Webb Cook, and his wife,  Mary Miller Hayes are buried at Spiegel Grove near the burial site of the President and First Lady who were reinterred in 1915 by second son Webb Cook Hayes.

Oakwood Cemetery,  1915

For the complete story of the removal of the bodies of President Rutherford Hayes and Lucy Webb Hayes, please read the earlier Ohio's Yesterdays blog post (January 1918) by Meghan Wonderly-Kolbe, Annual Giving and Membership Coordinator at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. 

Join Us For Retro Roundtable April 21st in the Hayes Presidential Library & Museum Auditorium!

Bring your favorite artifact, photograph, game, toy, document, or any treasure that is special to you. Share its story with us at Retro Roundtable in the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums auditorium on Saturday April 21st from 9:30 to 11:30. Admission is free.

We ask that those presenting an item preregister by contacting Julie Mayle, Associate Curator of Manuscripts, at 419-332-2081, ext 239 or by emailing jmayle@rbhayes.org. All are invited. Attendees not presenting an item need not register.

The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums staff members will begin the event by presenting their favorite items from HPLM's collections. We ask that those presenting limit to a 10-minute time.

We thank Rebecca White for sponsoring Retro Roundtable!

HPLM Staff Member Meghan Wonderly Writes Book about the Founding of the Nation's First Presidential Library

When Col. Webb Cook Hayes decided to found America’s first presidential library, he faced myriad challenges that tested his resolve and threatened his health and finances.

He faced delay after delay, and at one point, the construction was so shoddy that parts of the building had to be torn down and rebuilt again. 

Still, he persevered, and on Memorial Day 1916, the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums opened to the public, forever making the papers, books and artifacts of 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes available to the public for research and learning. 

Meghan Wonderly, HPLM annual giving and membership coordinator, tells the story of Webb Cook Hayes and how he founded HPLM in her recently released book, “A Son’s Dream: Colonel Webb C. Hayes and the Founding of the Nation’s First Presidential Library.” The book is available in the HPLM Museum Store for $14.99. 

Meghan Wonderly

Wonderly has been actively involved at HPLM for many years. A native of Fremont, she visited Spiegel Grove for field trips in elementary school. In high school, she volunteered in the manuscripts division and was an intern in that department during her college years. She also served as a tour guide in the Hayes Home. She has been the annual giving and membership coordinator since January 2015. 

During her undergraduate career, she attended New York University before graduating from Oberlin College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She is working on a master’s degree in history at Bowling Green State University.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America’s first presidential library and is celebrating its centennial this year. It is located at Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues in Fremont, Ohio. The facility is affiliated with the Ohio History Connection. 

For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org. Like HPLM on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hayespresidentialcenterand follow on Twitter at @rbhayespres. 

Hayes Presidential Library and Museums Celebrates Its Centennial, May 28 - 30

Hayes Family and the Historic Sandusky River Cruise 

HPLM Executive Director Christie Weininger Introduces German Rojas, Paraguayan Ambassador During the Centennial Celebration

HPLM Executive Director Christie Weininger and the Paraguayan Ambassador in the Rotunda During the Centennial Celebration

HPLM Executive Director Chistrie Weininger during Centennial Celebration

"The President's Own" Performing on the Verandah During the Centennial Celebration

Centennial Celebration Visitors Enjoying "The President's Own" Performance on the Hayes Home Verandah

Servers Ready for the Farm to Table Dinner at the Centennial Celebration