The staff at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is planning a prescription burn in the reconstructed tallgrass prairie. Because prescribed burns are so dependent on weather conditions, we have been keeping an eye on the weather outlook over the last few weeks. Per the National Park Service Fire Management Officer (FMO) who oversees the fire program for us, next week has been identified as the best time this fall to hold a prescribed burn.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site to Host Night Hike Nature doesn’t go to sleep when the sun goes down. The park remains full of activity in the darkness as the night takes over. The staff at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site want to give visitors a chance to see the park after dark. Experience the sights, touches, sounds, and smells by joining the Herbert Hoover NHS naturalist intern for a Night Hike along the tallgrass prairie near park loop road Saturday, November 25. Meet in front of the visitor center at 110 Parkside Dr. in West Branch at 5:15pm to gather. The half-mile hike will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to all ages. This will be an evening exploration to give participants a feel for what goes on in nature during the night. Hikers may hear coyotes howling or owls calling for their mates. You may even smell a conifer scent along the trail. The moon will be almost full and if the night is clear, it will cast pools of dappled moonglow through the trees and constellations through the sky. Folklore and other stories may be shared through the night walk. Participants should bring a small flashlight or headlamp and dress for the weather. Red lenses on flashlights are encouraged. Red cellophane will be provided with rubber bands to cover regular flashlights if needed. Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather.
If you have ever wondered about the native trees of Iowa, please join Herbert Hoover NHS staff for a guided tree walk on Saturday, October 14, at 10 a.m. The walk will begin at the Park Visitor Center and will last approximately an hour and a half. Nearly three dozen different varieties of trees are found in the park, including a wide variety of native species and some unusual trees from other parts of the country. The unique history of some of the trees will also be highlighted during the tour. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and plan on walking a full mile.
West Branch, IA – On September 23, 2023, tens of thousands of volunteers across the country will join in trail maintenance and planting projects, trash pick-ups, and other activities aimed at restoring and caring for our public lands to celebrate the 30th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD).
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 103,804 visitors to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in 2022 spent $6,855,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 101 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $9,144,000.
Herbert Hoover National Historical Site will host meetings on Wednesday, May 24th at the Coralville Public Library (Iowa City) and on Thursday, May 25th at 5:30PM at the Rummells Center (West Branch) about current and future opportunities for visitor use of the park’s tallgrass prairie(prairie).
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is announcing modifications to operations. The site will begin opening the Birthplace Cottage, Friends Meetinghouse, Schoolhouse, and Blacksmith Shop on Sunday, June 14.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 18, 2020, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, is closed until further notice. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the site’s out-of-doors areas–historic streets, paths, and trails through the reconstructed tall grass prairie–will continue to be accessible while the Visitor Center and historic buildings will be closed.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is hosting a speaker series February 24th, March 3rd and March 17th, all at 2:00 p.m. in the visitor center. A variety of topics will be covered, offering audience members a chance to learn new and fascinating things. All presentations are free and open to the public.
Park regulations require visitors to keep their pets on a leash and under their physical control at all times. Pet owners must also immediately clean up after their pet and dispose of the waste in an appropriate waste container.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site seeks artists for the national park’s 2016 Artist-in-Residence Program. This year, the park is looking for a videographer, photographer, recording artist, or any other artist who can provide content for the park’s digital media services (such as its website, mobile app, and social media outlets).
Dr. Richard Baker continues his series of lectures about geology in our national parks with presentations about Grand Teton (November 4), Death Valley (January 13), and Rocky Mountain (February 10). The lectures are free and last about one hour. Meet at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.
Volunteers are needed at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa to help plant trees, spread gravel and mulch on the landscape, and wash down picket fences.
Mike Graf, educator and author of children's books such as the "Adventures with the Parkers" series combines storytelling, drama, and slides about adventures, wildlife, and history in our national parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 142,512 visitors in 2010 spent more than $7 million in Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and in communities near the park. That spending supported 119 jobs in the local area.
There is sufficient snow cover and weather conditions for snowmobiles to safely operate on the paved surface of Parkside Drive between Main Street and Interstate 80
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site seeks writers, composers, and visual and performing artists for the park’s 2011 Artist-in-Residence Program. The application period closes on Friday, February 25, 2011.
Pete Swisher, formerly Chief Park Ranger at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, Mo., has been named the new Superintendent for Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch, Iowa.
A park ranger at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site issued a citation to two relic hunters. Both men received tickets for possessing and using metal detectors on federal land, a violation of federal law.
A new audio tour at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site gives visitors another alternative for exploring the birthplace, gravesite, and other features of the park commemorating the 31st president.
The 2009 Artist-in-Residence program at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site featured writer Laura Madeline Wiseman and painter Patricia Rottino Cummins. Each artist donated work created during their residencies this summer.
“Cedar County, Iowa: A Door to Freedom”, an exhibit on the Underground Railroad, is on display at the Visitor Center of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.
Two and a half miles of prairie trails are being reduced to seven feet wide from 10 to 14 feet wide. The trails will require less frequent mowing and, as a result, less fossil fuel use by the park.
On December 1, 2008 the Visitor Center at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site will close while the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is replaced.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is part of a nationwide effort to improve national lands in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) honored the best in heritage development during their Annual Golden Silo Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.
The shoulder of the paved surface of Parkside Drive between Main Street and Interstate Highway 80 is the only designated route that snowmobiles can operate on within Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.
Ornaments from Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Effigy Mounds National Monument are prominently displayed on this year’s official White House Christmas Tree.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site seeks writers, composers, and visual and performing artists for the park’s 2008 Artist-in-Residence program. The 2007 artists each donated artwork now on display at the Visitor Center
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site would see a modest increase in operational funding as a result of the President’s $2.4 billion National Park Service budget for Fiscal Year 2008.
Karen Page Crislip of Estes Park, Colorado donated a hand-woven tapestry depicting the Herbert Hoover Birthplace Cottage to the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.
The “National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom” traveling exhibit is on display in the visitor center at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site until the end of February 2007.
On Constitution Day, September 18, four federal government agencies will collaborate in conducting the first naturalization ceremony ever to be held outside a courthouse in the northern district of Iowa.
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site announces the release and availability of the Hoover Creek Stream Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
