Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Santa himself will take a break from his Christmas preparations to light the 50-foot outdoor Christmas tree at Spiegel Grove, an arboretum and the estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes, during Lights of Spiegel Grove on Friday, Dec. 12, from 6-7:30 p.m.
The tree and the Spiegel Grove grounds will be lit at 6:15 p.m. Jarrett Tree Service, of Clyde, has donated its time and resources to help Hayes Presidential staff put lights on the large outdoor tree.
Attendees can enjoy refreshments, carolers visits with Kris Kringle (the Victorian name for Santa), a campfire and more.
Carolers will sing around Spiegel Grove, and attendees are welcome to join in on the beloved holiday songs.
From 6:30-7:30 p.m., there will be an open house of the first floor of the Hayes Home, which will be lightly decorated in a historically accurate manner. Visitors can walk through and see the house and ask staff questions. During the event, participants can also take a short walk of the lighted grounds. Admission to this event, including the Hayes Home open house, is free.
Inside the museum, the “Hayes Train Special” model train display will also be open to visitors. Admission to the display is also free.
Lights of Spiegel Grove, sponsored by GEM Rudolph Libbe Group, is a part of A Presidential Christmas, a series of holiday events at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
For more details on A Presidential Christmas events, visit https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2025/10/30/general/a-presidential-christmas-all-the-holiday-info-you-need-here/.
