John Muir, the Father of National Parks, had a soft spot for forests. Trees -- the massive, towering, ancient monoliths found in old-growth forests -- fed his heart and soul. As someone with an equally unabashed love for the Great Outdoors, I find both Muir's words *and* the forests of which he spoke to be of immense inspiration. Here in the Midwest, we might not have the giant sequoias and redwoods of Northern California, but that doesn't mean you can't find towering trees and old-growth forests in Ohio. In fact, there's an upcoming festival that celebrates all things arboreal: the Mystic Giants Tree Tour in Spiegel Grove, Ohio.

Fremont is a darling little town nestled in the heart of Sandusky County, an area best-known for a world-class amusement park. This town, however, is much quieter than those places -- it's home to around 16,000 residents, yet has a decidedly small-town sensibility.

And while this region is most often associated with beaches and oceanic waters, Fremont is an incredibly green town that's home to stately old trees, verdant foliage, and a beautiful arboretum, features that come together in perfect harmony at the historic Spiegel Grove estate.

This manse was once home to Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th U.S. President and one of seven born in the Buckeye State.

Fun history fact: officially, Ohio lays claim to eight U.S. Presidents; William Henry Harrison was born in Berkley Plantation, Virginia, but lived in North Bend, Ohio when elected.

Spiegel Grove, also known as The Hayes Estate, spans some 25 acres that, in addition to Hayes' 31-room estate, is home to an estimated 1,700 trees... some of which date back to President Hayes’ time and even earlier! (For reference, Hayes was elected in 1877 and born in 1822.)

Hayes inherited the property from his uncle. Both men were avid nature lovers and admired the lush and untouched flora of the property. Upon inheriting Spiegel Grove, Hayes happily indulged his green thumb, taking great care in planting trees and a variety of plants.

His work certainly paid off. Today, Spiegel Grove is celebrated for its abundance of trees and plants both big and small, with a particular Bicentennial Oak commanding attention and, frankly, stealing the spotlight from the stately home! Its stands to the side of the Hayes Home and is marked with a plaque -- the tree dates back to 1776, which is, of course, the birthday of our country!

Visitors are welcome to come and wander the grounds of Spiegel Grove, admiring the many marvelous monoliths on the premises. But for those looking for a deeper dive into this unexpected arboretum in northern Ohio, there are organized tree tours offered that are a must for anyone who's as fascinated by these trees as Hayes was.

In fact, on July 10, 2023, Spiegel Grove is hosting a Tree Tour. This special event is a marvelous opportunity to learn about Hayes and his thriving arboretum -- and an inspiring reminder that the best things in life take time.

Have you visited Spiegel Grove before? Did you know the estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes was home to such grand giants? For more information on Spiegel Grove, visit the estate website -- and to learn more about Mystic Giants Tree Tour, head over to Ohio.org.