In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service. A memorial landscape remains to tell his story: how community, hard work, honesty, and usefulness to others opened a world of opportunity— and the presidency of the United States— to a child of simple beginnings.
Photo: NPS Photo/John Eicher
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again.
- LocationWest Branch, IA
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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Weather now69°F Light rain shower
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Architecture and Building
- Arts
- Birthplace
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Churches
- Commerce
- Grasslands
- Landscape Design
7 more topics
- Prairies
- Presidents
- Religion and Spirituality
- River and Riparian
- Schools and Education
- Sculpture
- Trails
Things to Do
13 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Picnicking
- Arts and Culture
- Craft Demonstrations
- Food
- Front-Country Hiking
- Park Film
Show 1 more activities
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Visitor Center
Facility
Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Allow yourself about 30 minutes in the Visitor…
110 Parkside Drive, West Branch, IA (319) 643-2541 Directions
Details
Start your visit at the Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Allow yourself about 30 minutes in the Visitor Center, which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Operating Hours
Hours details
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Operating HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
From April 1 - October 31, historic buildings and the visitor center are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From November 1 - March 31, historic buildings are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the visitor center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The grounds of the historic site are open 24 hours. Overnight parking is not allowed in the park.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Weather
69°F
Light rain shower · feels like 70°
-
Today
70° 58°
Light rain shower92% rain
-
Tomorrow
60° 49°
Sunny6% rain -
Saturday
63° 47°
Sunny6% rain
Updated 3 hr ago
WeatherFlood Warning Details
Flood Warning issued September 30 at 9:19PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has issued a Flood
Warning for the following rivers in Iowa...
Cedar River near Conesville affecting Louisa and Muscatine
Counties.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Cedar River near Conesville.
* WHEN...From Thursday evening until further notice.
* IMPACTS...At 15.0 feet, Water affects Saulsbury Road.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:00 PM CDT Wednesday the stage was 11.6 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage
tomorrow evening and continue rising to a crest of 14.9 feet
Saturday evening.
- Flood stage is 13.0 feet.
WeatherFlood Warning Details
Flood Warning issued October 1 at 9:40AM CDT until October 8 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Iowa...
Cedar River near Conesville affecting Louisa and Muscatine
Counties.
English River at Kalona affecting Washington and Johnson Counties.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Cedar River near Conesville.
* WHEN...From this evening to Wednesday night.
* IMPACTS...At 14.0 feet, water affects residences along County Road
F70.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:00 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 12.3 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage this
evening to a crest of 14.1 feet Monday evening. It will then fall
below flood stage Wednesday evening.
- Flood stage is 13.0 feet.
WeatherFlood Warning Details
Flood Warning issued September 30 at 9:28PM CDT until October 5 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The National Weather Service in Quad Cities has issued a Flood
Warning for the following rivers in Iowa...
Iowa River near Lone Tree affecting Washington, Louisa and Johnson
Counties.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Iowa River near Lone Tree.
* WHEN...From Thursday afternoon to Monday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Sand Road closes south of 520th Street to
the Highway 22 intersection.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:00 PM CDT Wednesday the stage was 14.1 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage early
tomorrow afternoon to a crest of 18.0 feet early Saturday
afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage Monday morning.
- Flood stage is 16.0 feet.
WeatherFlood Warning Details
Flood Warning issued October 1 at 9:45AM CDT until October 4 at 7:48PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Iowa...
Iowa River at Wapello affecting Louisa County.
Iowa River at Oakville affecting Louisa County.
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Iowa...
Iowa River near Lone Tree affecting Washington, Johnson and Louisa
Counties.
Iowa River at Marengo affecting Benton and Iowa Counties.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Iowa River near Lone Tree.
* WHEN...From Friday morning to Sunday evening.
* IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Sand Road closes south of 520th Street to
the Highway 22 intersection.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 9:00 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 15.3 feet.
- Forecast...The river will rise above flood stage tomorrow morning
to 17.2 feet Saturday evening. It will then fall below flood
stage Sunday morning.
- Flood stage is 16.0 feet.
WeatherFlood Warning Details
Flood Warning issued September 30 at 10:16PM CDT until October 4 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Iowa...
English River at Kalona affecting Washington and Johnson Counties.
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and major flooding is
forecast.
* WHERE...English River at Kalona.
* WHEN...Until Sunday evening.
* IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Water has overtopped roads causing
closures. This includes 130th St, Kiwi Ave, Orange Ave and Poplar
Ave. Extensive agricultural land near the river is flooded. Water
begins backing into town on the north side of the river.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 10:00 PM CDT Wednesday the stage was 16.3 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 18.8 feet
early Friday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage late
Sunday morning.
- Flood stage is 14.0 feet.
What to expect by season
Spring and fall are mild with moderate temperatures. Average high temperatures in the spring and fall are between 50° and 60° F, with lows from 40° F to 50° F. Summer is hot and humid with average highs around 85° F. Winter can be cold, windy, and snowy with highs averaging 30° F or lower. Rain and thunderstorms are most frequent in the spring and summer.
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
1 coming up-
A Christmas Past
About
West Branch, IA –The birthplace of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States, will host “A Christmas Past” December 4th and 5th. The festivities will officially begin with a community tree-lighting on the Village Green at 5pm on December 4th. For a complete schedule of the weekend’s activities: A Christmas Past | Main Street West Branch
Take a step back in time as you stroll through the park’s historic neighborhood decorated and illuminated in period-appropriate, festive style. Be sure to stop by the park’s blacksmith shop for living history demonstrations both nights from 5:30-8:00pm.
Programs and events offered at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Friday and Saturday evenings will be announced closer to the event.
Photos
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Herbert Hoover's father Jesse owned a blacksmith shop similar to the one at Herbert Hoover NHS. — NPS Photo/John Tobiason -
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Getting There
West Branch, IA 52358
Take exit 254 off Interstate 80 to West Branch, Iowa. The Visitor Center is 0.3 mile north of Interstate 80.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 607, West Branch, IA 52358
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