President James A. Garfield’s birthplace in Orange, Ohio, is also the site of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. The cabin was built in 1831 by Garfield’s father and is now the only U.S. presidential birthplace that is both a national historic site and a National Historic Landmark.
The small 20- by 24-foot one and a half story log cabin was Garfield’s home for the first four years of his life. The cabin was built around a large central chimney made from locally quarried sandstone, and the windows were covered with oiled deer skin. After Garfield’s death, the cabin was moved to a nearby farmer’s field and was used for storage until a group of local residents formed a committee in 1921 to have it restored. The building was returned to its original location and restored to its original appearance in 1885.
The cabin contains original furniture, artifacts, and personal belongings that belonged to Garfield and his family. In addition to the cabin and its furnishings, the national historic site also features a visitor center, museum store, and educational exhibits about Garfield’s life and career.