First Ladies National Historic Site, in Canton, Ohio, collects and preserves information on the role of the wives of the presidents of the United States and their influence on American history. The site is the home of the National First Ladies’ Library and includes two buildings—the Saxton McKinley House, now a museum, and the former City National Bank Building, now the library’s Education and Research Center.
The National First Ladies’ Library, founded in 1998, owns an extensive collection of books, photographs, letters, newspaper articles, and other resources concerning the first ladies. The library also provides a detailed online bibliography of works about and by the first ladies. The Saxton McKinley House was the family home of Ida Saxton McKinley, the wife of President William McKinley. The McKinleys lived in the house from 1878 to 1891, while William served as a U.S. congressman. Some of the rooms of the house have been restored and are open to visitors.
One block north of the McKinley House is the library’s Education and Research Center. The center, housed in a renovated 1895 bank building, includes the library collection, research facilities, a Victorian theater, and conference and workshop facilities.
The U.S. Congress established the First Ladies National Historic Site in 2000. The National First Ladies’ Library manages and operates the site.
See also First ladies of the United States .
