William Howard Taft National Historic Site — Attraction in Cincinnati

If I could give this place ten stars I would. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I always focus on the accessibility. I have very limited mobility and use either a walker or an electric scooter to get around.

When we pulled up to this place and saw all of the steps and uneven terrain I was very disappointed and thought for sure that I would not be able to see the site. Not so!

All businesses should have to follow this parks model for making things accessible and train the staff to be as welcoming and helpful as the staff here. So…on my electric scooter they took me up a ramp that allowed me to enter the basement. In the basement there was an elevator built into the old dum waiter.

It was just big enough to fit me and my scooter and I was able to access and see every floor that everyone else on the tour saw. For once I wasn’t shut out of the tour because of my mobility. I was so happy that the staff goes through such lengths to make their visitors feel welcome.

I can’t thank the staff enough for making me feel welcome and accommodating my needs. I completely enjoyed the tour. I learned a lot from the very interesting tour guide and the displays throughout the house.

Aside from the house tour they have a small visitors center...

This makes for a great stop if you're in the area! There are two parts to see- the visitors centre and the house itself. It's worth starting at the visitors centre as there's a good video (about 14 mins long) which gives background on Taft alongside some displays too. Don't miss the animatronic figure as well which has a series of buttons and questions to ask about Taft and his family!

The birthplace itself isn't a full historical house like others you may have seen. It went through quite a few owners and ended up as apartments in the 1940's. On the ground floor, there are some rooms which have been recreated- mainly the parlour and library and a small nursery. There is some original furniture and belongings but not all is authentic to the house. When I visited, this part was guided and my guide was great at pulling out the details of the home and was very knowledgeable! The basement and upper floors are self guided (the basement has a small display on what the garden would have looked like) and are full of information boards and some more...

A beautiful tribute and tons of information about the 27th POTUS who served 1909-1913 and was the only person to serve not only as POTUS but also Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1921-1930). Among other things, he was responsible for establishing the income tax and splitting the Republican Party such that it let to the election of Woodrow Wilson.

The historic site was the birthplace and childhood home of the man. It is a two-story structure built around 1845 and was purchased by Alphonso Taft (William Howard Taft's father) in 1851. The family was upper class and so they used the house for social events.

The house is open for touring and includes several rooms set up in period style as it would have been if the Taft family were still living here. Some larger rooms have mementoes and captions explaining the life and times of the former POTUS and SCOTUS Chief Justice. There's a lot to read and take in. Expect at least an hour,...