EXHIBITS
ARTIFACTS OF THE NATIONAL FIRST LADIES LIBRARY & MUSEUM
The National First Ladies Library & Museum inspires the next generation of leaders by amplifying the powerful women of the past. Rotating exhibits coupled with our permanent collection of more than 5,000 historical artifacts help give a fresh voice to the Ladies who have shaped our nation. Feel the weight of their influence as you stroll the our galleries, and let the spirit of their accomplishments invigorate your own drive to uplift the world around you.
NOW SHOWING
Current Exhibit : Apr 30, 2024 - Apr 30, 2025
Leaders in Literacy
FIRST LADIES AS TEACHERS, EDUCATORS, AND LIBRARIANSThe right to an education is a foundational principle of America’s history, and many First Ladies have taken up this cause. More than a dozen of these iconic women have provided opportunities for empowering young people to learn, grow, and thrive through education as leaders in literacy. In this extraordinary exhibit, we feature more than a dozen First Ladies who have advanced the cause of education throughout American history. Presented by Huntington Bank.
ALSO ON VIEW
Your ticket to travel through history at the National First Ladies Library & Museum
The National First Ladies Library & Museum houses a fascinating array of exhibits to help you learn more about the women who helped build our country. Start your journey into history and get inspired with every stop along the way.
The Saxton-McKinley House
The historic Saxton-McKinley House is the childhood home of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley, the wife of the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. The home, nestled in downtown Canton on Market Avenue south, was built in the 1840s, and it served as the Canton residence for President and Mrs. McKinley during his presidency in the late 1890s. The home was meticulously restored to its grand Victorian roots in the mid-1990s to reflect First Lady Ida McKinley’s life in the home. The Saxton-McKinley House was the first home of the National First Ladies Library and opened to the public in 1998. Today, it is part of the First Ladies National Historic Site, with the National Park Service providing tours of the home three times per day during open hours.
First Ladies on the Campaign Trail
The First Ladies on the Campaign Trail exhibition celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of First Ladies in the campaign arena. Campaign time creates a dilemma for modern First Ladies. They must convey a positive message and glamorous look that can contribute to their husband’s campaigns. However, if they publicly stumble, they can hurt their husbands’ presidential contest chances. How do they maneuver through all the media attention while focusing on their husband’s campaign strategy?
During an election year, it is always appropriate to reflect on the role of the First Ladies on the campaign trail. This exhibit is on display through December 2024.
Interactive One-Room Schoolhouse
On the second floor of the museum, children will delight in learning about education in the 1800s by sitting in the wooden seats of a real-life replica schoolhouse. They can explore to their hearts content by writing on the old-fashioned slates, playing with the Victorian-era wooden toys, and ringing the old-fashioned schoolbell. A wonderful family activity!
First Ladies Revealed
This film exhibit, which can be seen in the theater on the lower level of the museum, invites a nuanced understanding of the First Lady's role, revealing the intellectual and strategic minds that have shaped American history from the White House. Move beyond the ceremonial sash. This exhibit delves into the lives of America's First Ladies, revealing their profound impact on the nation's narrative.