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Mentor is a city in Ohio, that was established in the mid 1800’s. Mentor is probably best known for the James A. Garfield Historic Site; which was at one point, the home of President Garfield. In fact, it was President Garfield who coined the term, “Mentorite,” in reference to someone who lives in the city of Mentor.

In 1876, James A. Garfield moved to Mentor, and made the town famous because of his successful front porch campaign. A front porch campaign is when the electoral candidate stays close to home during the campaign season; and doesn’t actively campaign or travel around the country. They do, however, make local speeches to supporters who travel to them. President Garfield was the first president to run a successful front porch campaign; and is one of the president’s best known for doing so. Presidents Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley are also remembered for their successful front porch campaigns.

When Garfield bought his house in Mentor in 1876, he was looking for a home that would enable him to teach his sons about farming; and a place to spend his summers when Congress was on recess. He also moved because he had been living in Hiram, while representing the 19th Ohio congressional district. But President Garfield was a republican, and the Democratic Ohio Legislature had redistricted and removed the Republican Party from several counties, including the county of his former home.

Garfield and his family would go on to make several improvements to the house, including the addition of eleven more rooms for his large family. After his death In 1881, his wife Lucretia remained in the house until her death in 1918. Lucretia’s brother lived in the house until his death in 1924. In 1936, Garfield’s children donated the house and its contents to the Western Reserve Historical Society to be turned it into a museum. ‘

President Garfield’s home is now the James A. Garfield Historic Site; and is considered a United States National Historic Site. In the 1990’s, $12.9 million dollars was spent to restore the home. The restoration took six years, and a grand reopening was held in 1998. The renovation was done so well that it is considered one of the most accurately restored and detailed 19th century presidential sites to date. The restoration team could tutor others in how to accurately recreate a historical site. His home also contains the first presidential library. In 1885, four years after President Garfield was assassinated, his wife Lucretia and her family created the Memorial Library wing of the house; and began the tradition of presidential libraries. The house is a great monument to our nation’s twentieth president; and a great place to learn about a piece of our nation’s history.

Mentor tutors want all students to do well in school. If your student is struggling in school, a Mentor tutor could be just what you need. Every student deserves the chance to succeed.