Sunday afternoon, May 11, 2025
I drove down to Canton, Ohio to the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum. Good sized building, but not what I expected. The museum is at the foot of the hill where the McKinley tomb and monument stands. I wussed out on trekking up all those steps to the monument, although many runners were bounding up the steps.
So, here is what you get: The museum and library (I never saw a sign pointing to the archives) is on the upper level of the county historical museum. The building includes science, a planetarium, a wonderful set of exhibits on county history and industry, but only one large room, less than the size of a basketball court, devoted to McKinley, and much of it is loose furniture. There are a couple of displays leading into the main gallery. I did note that McKinley, first president of the 20th Century, declined to ride an automobile in the inaugural parade because he feared it would break down. The requisite film of his life was in a small room off of the main stairs, and featured a not-that-big flat screen. The film, of course is favorable towards McKinley, and I just recently finished "The True Flag," a book that does not put our American imperialism of his time in a good light, so I guess I was exposed to both viewpoints. McKinley was the last Civil War veteran to become president. He served with Hayes in an Ohio regiment and went from private to major.
Nice HO train layout beyond the hall that shows life in the old days. I question the presence of Santa Fe and Union Pacific engines on a Ohio tableaux, but, hey!
I traded my drivers license for the ability to drive up the hill to the monument. I was not doing the steps! It's a nice tomb, as far as tombs go.
Downtown Canton is home to the Saxton-Mckinley home, which houses the museum to First Ladies. Walked around, took a picture. This was Mrs. McKinley's home, and where they stayed during his governorship. By now, I'm ready for dinner and back to the motel.
It's Monday morning, and I am caught up on my blogging. This morning I will travel to the McKinley birthplace in Niles, Ohio, and will then steer into Pennsylvania, past Pittsburg and hopefully make arrangements to ride part of the Great Allegheny Passage. The book says I can get a shuttle to help me get around on the trail. We'll see. I also need to resolve my tollway bill this morning.
Ah, you have a keen eye for detail! It's wonderful to hear you enjoyed the glimpse into the past with the HO layout. You're absolutely right to question the Santa Fe and Union Pacific engines in an Ohio setting. Those iconic locomotives would have been more at home further west. Perhaps the layout owner took a bit of artistic license, or maybe those engines represent a visitor passing through or a nod to the broader history of American railroading. Thanks for noticing – those little details are what make model railroading so engaging!
ReplyDeleteI love a man who goes on vacation and when asked where he went and what he did says he traveled all over the United States on the Tomb Tour!! Pictures are great as usual and even I, the exact opposite of an American history buff, enjoy your narratives on the presidents. I've never been a fan of the 'recreated likeness' thing. They all look a little scary. I'd much rather have a mostly accurate painting or nothing and just use my imagination that McKinley is waltzing with his wife. But then, that's me. Stay safe. If you hear banjo music while you are on the trail....R U N !!!!
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