. "0"^^ . "0"^^ . "2017-12-19T00:00:00"^^ . . "Even though James Garfield's administration only lasted a few months in 1881 before he was assassinated, his legacy runs deep. What's more, his wife Lucretia Garfield has her own fascinating history. If you're ever in the Cleveland area, it's worth a trip to the suburb of Mentor to visit the Garfields' home.\n\nJames Garfield had a long political career before the presidency, and among his accomplishments was his lifelong public opposition to slavery, including as a general in the Union army. In fact, the James A. Garfield National Historic Site has just been named contributing site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, not because the house (purchased in 1876) was a stop on the railroad, but because Garfield himself helped escaped slaves cross through Ohio.\n\nThe Garfield house itself is both stunning and strikingly modern for its time. Credit for this goes to Lucretia Garfield. Just like Elizabeth Hamilton (who has achieved public recognition thanks to Ron Chernow and Lin-Manuel Miranda), Lucretia Garfield outlived her husband by many decades, establishing what was essentially the first presidential library, and patronizing the modern architects and artists of her day. Active throughout her long life, in her 80s she was a Red Cross volunteer during World War I.\n\nIn short, the Garfield home is well worth a visit, and the Garfields themselves deserve to be remembered and celebrated as outstanding Americans."^^ . . "5"^^ . "0"^^ .