Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Jacque Kelly, Debbie Miller
Date: March 7, 2020
This two-story Greek Revival house on Auburn Avenue was built in 1845 and was the birthplace and childhood home of the 27th President of the United States and after that a Supreme Court Judge. He lived here until 1874 when he went to Yale University. The National Park Service operates the house as an historic house museum. Taft family books, portraits, and period furniture were on the first floor. We enjoyed the entire second floor which had exhibits of the accomplishments of Taft. We even got to look into an old time “viewmaster” showing vintage Taft era photos. The second building is the visitor center which had a gift shop, film, and other exhibits.
Here are some fun Taft facts we learned at the museum house. Taft had an enormous bathtub in the Cincinnati house. When Taft was in the White House, a new large tub was installed because President Taft’s weight climbed to 335 pounds while he was in office. Another funny Taft fact, his cow named Pauline Wayne was the last family cow at the White House to be seen grazing on the White House lawn and in front of other public buildings. Lastly, President Taft was the first President to throw out the first pitch to open the professional baseball season.
