James A. Garfield National Historic Site unveiling temporary exhibit

The Garfield Site is celebrating the 130th anniversary of a double wedding that took place in the Garfield home on June 14, 1888.

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor announced a new temporary exhibit coming this summer — “Here Come the Brides: 150 Years of Garfield Family Weddings” — will run June 16 through Aug. 30.

The Garfield Site is celebrating the 130th anniversary of a double wedding that took place in the Garfield home on June 14, 1888. On that date, Harry A. Garfield, eldest son of President and Mrs. James A. Garfield, married Belle Mason; and Mollie Garfield, the Garfields’ only surviving daughter, married Joseph Stanley-Brown in the Garfield home’s Memorial Library, according to a news release.

During the temporary exhibit, the Garfield home will be decorated as it was for the double wedding, complete with a faux wedding cake and part of Mollie Garfield’s actual wedding dress. Bridal cake and personal ice cream servings will be given to visitors on June 16 while supplies last. Tours of the Garfield home will also include special information and details about the double wedding.

There will be the normal house tour admission fee of $10 per person ages 16 and over and free for those 15 and under.

The temporary exhibit will be on display for free in the site’s visitor center. Visitors will have the opportunity to view Garfield family wedding memorabilia from 1858 through today, with much of the memorabilia on loan to the site from Garfield family members and descendants of President and Mrs. James A. Garfield, the release stated..

The items include: a 1916 bridal veil; marriage invitations and certificates; photographs; newspaper society page coverage; wedding albums; and a 2011 wedding dress. Items from the personal collections of Garfield family members, the Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Lake County History Center will be displayed.

“This is such a wonderful exhibit to bring to James A. Garfield National Historic Site,” said Site Manager Todd Arrington in the release. “Between the 1888 double wedding and the tradition of June and summer as ‘wedding season,’ this unique exhibit and series of events really has something for everyone — great fashion, unique artifacts, and intriguing history!”

The Garfield Site is located at 8095 Mentor Ave. in Mentor.