William Howard Taft National Historic Site

We’re pleased to announce that the elevator at William Howard Taft National Historic Site has been fully repaired. Accessibility is important to us, and we look forward to welcoming all visitors.

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS

***Weather Update***

Due to inclement weather, the William Howard Taft National Historic Site facilities will be closing today 12-13-2025 at 3:00 PM.

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS

We're celebrating our birthday.

On December 2, 1969, the William Howard Taft National Historic Site became a National Park Site. Last night's snowfall from Mother Nature served as a gift. The historic Taft House looks peaceful, dressed in winter white.

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS

***Operations update***

The William Howard Taft National Historic Site is unable to receive incoming calls as our phone lines are currently down.

If assistance is needed, you can reach us through Facebook Messenger, [email protected] or by calling (605) 836-3421

Photo credit: Library of Congress

Today is a day known as According to Hoyle Day. The day honors Edmond Hoyle, a writer who died on August 29, 1769. He is known for writing books that contained card game rules. People were known to say, according to Hoyle, then quote a rule from his book. One of the books he is credited with writing is called, A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist, by a Gentleman. It was originally published in 1743.

The Taft family was fond of playing games. On December 13, 1858, William’s mother, Louise, writes to her older sister Delia, about the card game of whist. “If you were here on Friday or Saturday, we should challenge you to a game at whist. Anna is learning and Grandpa sometimes takes a hand with us.”

Have you ever played whist?

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS

Today is National Presidential Joke Day.

In April 1903, while William Howard Taft was Governor-General of the Philippines, the family traveled to the mountain city of Baguio so Taft could recover from amebic dysentery. Taft sent word to Secretary of War Elihu Root, that he was feeling better in the cool mountain air.

The telegram said: Stood Trip Well. Rode Horseback Twenty-Five Miles To Five Thousand Feet Elevation.

Root replied: "Referring To Your Telegram...How Is The Horse?

What is your favorite presidential joke?

Photo credit: Library of Congress

Today is National Book Lovers Day.

The Taft family loved books. In 1851, William Howard Taft’s grandfather, Peter Rawson Taft, made a diary entry that listed the books and papers on the upper shelf in the desk. Some of the books listed were Western Guide Book: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, Paradise Lost, Christian Lyre and Greek Grammar, Malcom’s Bible Dictionary, Bible Companion, Bunker Hill Monument, Wm. Wallace, Manuel of Psalmody, Goldsmith’s Miscellany Work, Anecdotes of Natural History, Life of Gerard, Paley’s Evidences of Christianity, Whatley’s Logic and Rhetoric, Lectures of Public Characters, Cowper’s Life and Works: Volumes 2, 4,and 6, Directions for Invigorating and Prolonging Life, Washington’s Farewell Address, Johnson’s Dictionary, Western Arithmetic, Arithmetic by Ray, Olmsted’s Astronomy, Lovel’s U.S. Speaker, Folsom’s Levy Cookery, History of the U.S. by a Gentleman, Bonaparte’s Life, and Geography of the Meadows, Wayland’s Moral Science, Murry’s Grammar, Day on the Wall, Great Britain in 1823, Hedge’s Logic, and Hershel’s Treaters on Astronomy.

What is your favorite book?

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS

Some heavy rain went through our area last night.

Did anyone else get a picture of the rainbow?

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS

Most people enjoy engaging in friendly competition. This includes the rangers at the four south west Ohio parks: Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, and William Howard Taft National Historic Site.

The rangers participated in a walking competition to determine which park could achieve the highest average of miles walked. The winner for July was the William Howard Taft National Historic Site with an average of 76.15 miles.

Thank you to Acting Superintendent K. Wood and Education Technician Ruth Horstman for securing a win for Taft.

*** Operations Update**

The elevator inside the historic Taft House is out of order. As of now, we do not have a timeline for the repairs to be completed. The Taft Education Center remains accessible. In the meantime, we have a binder of photographs to look through. Thank you for your understanding!

Photo credit: Library of Congress

It is a dreary rainy day here in Cincinnati.

The redbud trees are looking lovely despite the weather. Stop in this weekend for a tour of the historic Taft House. Ranger guided tours are available at 9AM, 10AM, 1PM and 2PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

Photo credit: Ruth Horstman/NPS