Mckinley Presidential Library & Museum
If you’re looking for something different to do in Canton, OH, then check out the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum. This family-friendly museum is home to the McKinley Gallery, Street of Shops, and Keller Gallery. On the grounds, you can visit the Hoover-Price Planetarium. You’ll also find the McKinley National Memorial. It is located at 800 McKinley Monument Dr NW, Canton, OH 44708.
First Friday is a monthly celebration in Canton’s Arts District. It offers live music and other festivities. You can also stroll around with your favorite alcoholic beverage in a special cup from participating bars and restaurants. Visitors are welcome to try a little bit of everything at First Friday! There are a variety of events taking place on First Friday, so make sure to check out the events calendar for the next one! A cool read
The museum is interactive, with push button kiosks that allow visitors to activate the animatronic figures located in the parlor. You can interact with these figures as they talk about education and the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, where McKinley was killed by an anarchist. Another kiosk displays still photographs and grainy movie footage of McKinley’s first and second inaugurations.
Another highlight is the refurbished Ida’s diamond tiara, which was purchased for $43,000 from a reality TV show host. Visiting the museum also allows visitors to see the shirt that McKinley wore on the day of his death, complete with a rip in the back. It’s easy to see why Theodore Roosevelt is often remembered and revered, but William McKinley should not be forgotten. While you’re in Canton, consider attending one of the presidential history talks.
The McKinley Memorial is home to President McKinley’s tomb. The monument was constructed in 1926 by architect H. Van Buren Magonigle and measures 79 feet in diameter. The original structure featured a reflecting pool and 108 steps. These steps were intended to symbolize the sword of the President during times of war. Today, the reflecting pool has been replaced by a depressed lawn, but its sword effect is still evident.
If you’re traveling with a large family, you might also want to stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Canton Downtown. Located directly across from the Saxton-McKinley House, the hotel also has a full-service restaurant named 330 Bar & Grill. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating options for groups. It also boasts an indoor pool and fitness center.
For something more hands-on, try the Street of Shops. The museum’s life-size replica of a 19th century town includes a gas station, barber shop, blacksmith shop, corner store, hotel, and fire station complete with a real horse-drawn fire engine. For train lovers, the museum has a large model train layout. You can watch multiple trains moving across the city space. You can even look for landmarks in Canton.
The McKinley Memorial is part of The Eleven project. The project, which includes nine public murals, sculptures, and a new museum, is part of a multi-year $2.2 million renovation. The Eleven project will include two more murals this summer.