Herbert Hoover Library

Although a little small, the museum is very interesting. I learned a lot about H. Hoover that was very interesting. It only takes 2 hrs at the most.

#12 on my Presidential Library tour! Never thought I would have been able to add a visit to the Hoover Library with any trip. Directions from the interstate to the library were easy, and I soon arrived. Had a couple of hours before it closed, enough time to explore. To me the fascinating thing exploring the lives of our Presidents is not what they did during office (you usually heard enough in school of that), but what their lives were before and after the Presidency. Hoover’s was no exception. They had a exhibit highlighting World War I and Herbert Hoover’s leadership in the Commission for Relief in Belgium, arguably his start in public life and politics. The library overall was on the small side, but it was complete. Very enjoyable look into a President who was overshadowed by his successor and world events. Recommend!

I’ve been to four presidential libraries (Hoover, Eisenhower, Reagan, and Clinton) and this one is probably my favorite.
The nearby grounds are a must-​see (see associated review). The library is rather small, but is laid out quite well and tells Hoover’s story from a perspective different than the one you learned in school. I had no idea he was so involved with so many humanitarian issues, such as providing food for Europe or promoting equal rights.
The library also has a section on WWI, which gives great details about that conflict and has some amazing artifacts. Stop here first, then tour the grounds. If I’m passing through again I’ll be sure to stop by.

Such a nice place!!! My mother and I went and had a wonderful time! very polite ppl who work there and the price was right!!! I saw the first ladies exhibit and it was soo lovely!

It was only natural to visit here while visiting the Herbert Hoover NHS.
Depending on how much time you have to devote, both the NHS and Library can be done on the same day.
There is a small entrance fee for the library/​museum and the exhibits are self-​guided. There are a tremendous number of exhibits to see from Herbert Hoover’s life and a lot to read. We spent a good hour or so going through the museum, which was far too fast as there were many things I skimmed.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because some of the interactive videos were not functioning, there were few interactive exhibits, and after experiencing the awesome tour wands at the NHS, had hoped there would be some for the Library.
However, this is definitely someplace to visit again and devote more time to exploring!

What a pleasant surprise this place was! We stopped here while in town visiting family. A more extensive museum than what I expected. A variety of displays all set up in a easy to follow way. Informational readings for adults and separate ones for kids. Really liked the temporary exhibit on First Ladies. An incredible temporary exhibit of photos from Mississippi during the Freedom Marches of the mid-60’s was eye opening. Nice little gift shop. Beautiful grounds. Oh, and kids under 16 are free! Under 16! When’s the last time you saw that? Well worth the stop.

We really enjoyed our visit to the library. The special exhibit of the First Lady’s gowns is not to be missed– it was really interesting! I also loved the exhibits on Food Will Win the War. People working were nice and friendly. The grounds are beautiful!

Can’t really write a full review. We only stopped here for a moment when we had stopped in the area for lunch. We had a chance to look around the grounds and to look at the outside of the library.
The grounds and the exterior of the building were really beautiful. I’ve never been to a Presidential library before, and quite frankly, didn’t think my first would be Herbert Hoover’s. Next time we drive by we plan to stop in for the full tour.

My first Presidential Library visit. But won’t be my last. Now added to bucket list is visit all presidential libraries. I plan to do those still alive first but I’ll get them all I’m sure.
Also housed here is the documentary legacy of Rose Wilder Lane and her mother, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Lane was Hoovers first biographer. Many of her papers and books are housed here. This is a woman with a considerable history separate from and intertwined with Hoovers. Never-​mind the «little House on the Prairie» series of course. Laura was the writer, Lane was her editor.
The Library houses all of Hoovers public papers as well, which can be accessed and used for research purposes as well.
Hoover was one of our 2 Quaker presidents. Do you know the other? This library and museum are housed where he was born, and where he is buried today, next to his wife. Its a small historic town that is also a great place to visit. If you happen to come in August you may catch «Hoovers Hometown Days», a weekend celebration each August with fireworks and other fun family activities.
Some other fun facts I learned —
Herbert Hoover was the first President born west of the Mississippi and the only one, so far, in Iowa
He held the FL state record for the largest bonefish caught from 1947 to 1958
Herbert Hoover has a comet and two asteroids named for him
He had one brother, Theodore, who was 3 ½ years older, and one sister, Mary (called May) who was 2 years younger. He was orphaned at age 9 when his mother passed away, his father had a few years earlier.
Herbert Hoover was tendered 87 honorary degrees, which may have been a world record during his lifetime.
He was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize — in 1921, 1933, 1941, 1946 and 1964.
There are currently 53 schools in the United States, 1 in Germany, and 1 in Poland named for Herbert Hoover.
He had a degree in geology. So did his wife.
Herbert Hoover was the first person to appear on television, on April 7, 1928, in a demonstration transmission conducted between Washington and New York by Bell Laboratories
Hoover and his wife, who he met at Stamford, lived in China for 2 years after they were married, picking up enough Chinese to speak it to each other when they wanted «privacy».
Herbert Hoover was the first President to have a telephone on his desk in the Oval Office.
Post-​Presidency
Former-​President Hoover lived for over 31 years after leaving office, longer than any other Former-​President until President Jimmy Carter surpassed him on September 7, 2012.
Hours for the Presidential Museum and the National Park are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s Day, Admission is $ 6 for adults and $ 3 for seniors age 62 and older. Children age 16 and under are free.
Come. Learn about American History here. Live a little history.
Easy Parking
(Review 450)

This is a surprisingly interesting presidential library due to the well preserved artifacts and well executed exhibits. Candidly speaking, I didn’t care for the president; a lot of his policies and demeanor go against everything I believe and stand for and he had an instinct for disaster.
I did enjoy the old stuff and souvenirs and the staff was pleasant. The museum is a touch pricey; it should be FREE especially given his policies and when he was president. LOL

I’m afraid that this museum ran out of money and was turned into a Hooverville, and is now just an open air tent. In memory of the president, I offer these quotes:
[Regarding Hoover]:
«for six years that man has given me unsolicited advice – all of it bad.»
«Wonder Boy»
–Calvin Coolidge
«There could not be a finer one” – regarding Hoover as a Democratic presidential nominee
Franklin D Roosevelt, 1919
Famous Hoover quotes:
«when in doubt, eat potatoes»
«food will win the war [WWI]»
Re: sending food aid to Russian Bolsheviks: «Twenty million people are starving. Whatever their politics, they shall be fed!»
«We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land.»

The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Presidential Library in West Branch, IA is a collection of buildings associated with the life of Herbert Hoover, the first president born west of the Mississippi River. If you are driving I-​80 and take the West Branch exit, you can’t miss this site on the left.
The National Historic Site has the house that HH was born in. It was just a small house and it’s apparent that HH has come from very humble beginnings. HH and his family were also Quakers and the old Quaker Meeting House that the family attended was moved to the property. There is also other buildings on the property from old West Branch such as a blacksmith shop.
The Visitor Center has all the information you need to tour the area. The people there are very friendly and helpful. Visiting the site costs nothing and you can spend several hours there.
President Hoover and his wife are also buried on the property. Their graves are set back in a small plot away from the main buildings.
There isn’t much to see in Iowa, but the HH NHS is a great place to stop while traveling the interstate.

«The imperative need of this nation at all times is the leadership of Uncommon Men or Women.» — Herbert Hoover, August 10, 1954
I wasn’t around when Herbert Hoover (Number 31) was the President of the United States. In some ways, history has not been too kind to him. At the same time, he was a native Iowan and in this part of heaven, that still means a whole heck of a lot. It’s also a great opportunity to «go the distance» and explore Presidential History in the context of his Quaker roots.
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is right next to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and is worth the lovely drive up to West Branch. It was officially opened to the public on August 10, 1962, by Hoover himself on his 88^th birthday. Another man of Midwest pedigree (former President Harry Truman) was also present at the dedication. The buck definitely stopped here!
I spend a few pleasant and informative hours here, even though I hadn’t lived many of the events that are so well depicted here. Yet sometimes it’s a good learning experience to look back and you are going forward.