Historic first family visiting Mentor Public Library

There have been 44 presidents of the United States.

And Mentor can claim the unique distinction of being one of those president’s hometowns, specifically President James A. Garfield.

While it would require a séance to summon President Garfield and his wife Lucretia for a conversation, children can enjoy the next best thing at 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Wednesday, at Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch.

The historical recreationists of We Made History will have a special program for kids. Deborah Weinkamer and Edward Haney—as Lucretia and James Garfield, respectively—will talk about what it was like to be a presidential family.

Kids can also ask the Garfields questions, make a presidential craft and take a photo with the first family of Mentor.

“Mentor is one of the few communities that can boast about having a president who lived there,” said Kim Sidorick, the manager of Mentor Public Library’s Children’s Services Department. “The Garfields also have a tie to the library. It was founded by their descendants.”

Mentor Public Library will also hold a presidential scavenger hunt in its Children’s Department starting Monday, Feb. 3.

Kids can search the library, looking for clues based on President Garfield’s life. Those who complete the scavenger hunt can pick up a small prize at the children’s services desk in the library’s Main Branch after the First Family program on Feb. 5.

Children who wish to sign up for the First Family program can do so by calling the Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 221 or by registering on Mentor Library's website.