Virtual Tour, Page 1

>	Page 1: Visitor Center, Birthplace Cottage, Family
	Page 2: Restoration, Blacksmith Shop, Schoolhouse, Friends Meetinghouse
	Page 3: Isis, House of Maples, P.T. Smith House
	Page 4: Presidential Library Museum, Prairie, Gravesite, Isaac Miles Farm

Visitor Center

The National Park Service visitor center contains orientation information, exhibits illustrating Hoover’s childhood. Rangers are available to assist you and answer questions. Admission fee includes historic buildings on site and the Presidential Library-Museum. A 12-minute closed-captioned orientation video about the site is available. The Eastern National Book Store has a selection of books available for purchase.
Handicapped accessible restrooms; wheelchair, scripts of audio stations, photo albums of non-accessible buildings are available.

Birthplace Cottage

Herbert Hoover, the first President born west of the Mississippi River, was born in this cottage on August 10, 1874.

The two-room cottage was built by Herbert's father Jesse and grandfather Eli Hoover in 1871.

The little house was located near the center of the growing city of West Branch. Jesse and Hulda, his wife, frequently hosted family gatherings and church group meetings here.

In the 1930's, President and Mrs. Hoover purchased and restored the cottage which Hoover said was "physical proof of the unbounded opportunity of American life."

Three entrance steps; ramp at exit.

Family

Among the early West Branch settlers were the Eli Hoover and Theodore Minthorn families. The Hoovers had come from Miami County, Ohio; the Minthorns from Canada. On March 12, 1870, Jesse Hoover, son of Eli and Mary Davis Hoover, married Hulda Minthorn, daughter of Theodore and Mary Wasley Minthorn.

There were three Hoover children. Theodore was born in 1871; Herbert was born in 1874; and Mary was born in 1876. As a young child Herbert was nicknamed "Bert"; Theodore was called "Tad"; and Mary was known as "May".

Jesse Hoover died of pneumonia on December 13, 1880, at the age of 34. Hulda kept her family together by taking in sewing. She also had assistance from some of her relatives.

After Hulda died in February 1884, relatives gathered to decide who should care for the children.

Mary Hoover stayed with grandmother Minthorn, Tad went to live with Uncle Henry Davis Hoover in Hardin County, where he was expected work off his board by helping with farm work. Herbert was taken into the family of his Uncle Allan and aunt Millie Hoover. In 1885 Herbert left West Branch and traveled to Newberg, Oregon to live with his uncle, Dr. Henry John Minthorn.

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