The first-ever guidebook for James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Ohio has been released. Titled James A. Garfield: His Life and Legacy, the guidebook is the result of over four years’ work by site staff and the publisher, Eastern National.   

The book’s text was primarily written by Joan Kapsch, a park guide at James A. Garfield National Historic Site.  Other National Park Service employees at the site contributed as well. Historic photos from such repositories as the Lake County Historical Society, Western Reserve Historical Society, Library of Congress, and others are included in the book.  Modern photos of the site were taken by John Kroll, a former staff photographer for the Cleveland Plain-Dealer and currently an adjunct faculty member in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University.

“We’re so excited to have this book on our shelves and available for our visitors,” said site manager Todd Arrington.  “Many national park visitors collect these guidebooks, and we’ve long recognized this as a need here at James A. Garfield National Historic Site. The book serves a dual purpose as both an excellent biography of Garfield and a guidebook to the Site itself.  We hope it will provide additional information about James A. Garfield’s life and legacy while helping people fondly remember their visit here.”

The guidebook can be purchased for $10.95 at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio, approximately 25 miles east of Cleveland, or ordered online via Eastern National.