Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace
West Branch, IA
A small village site preserving the cottage where Herbert Hoover was born, alongside a museum, a blacksmith shop and the grave site on a grassy hill. Combine the exhibits with a walk through the restored prairie nearby.
Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch. The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum opened in 1962 on his 88th birthday and is operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. The library lies within the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, which includes his birthplace cottage, a reconstruction of his father's blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and a Quaker meeting house.
The graves of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover lie on a hill above the site. The collection includes about 30,000 photographs and records on famine relief, agriculture, and foreign policy. Allow two to three hours for the museum and village. A walk through the restored prairie nearby makes a good finish; a weekday in summer or early fall is pleasant.
- Nearest town
- West Branch, IA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 41.6700, -91.3470
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Meadow Lake CampgroundMotorhome stopover13 mi from Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and BirthplaceMotorhomes
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- Sandy Beach CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and BirthplaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace
- Palisades-Kepler State Park CampgroundMotorhome stopover18 mi from Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and BirthplaceMotorhomes
All campsites in Iowa · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace?
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace is in West Branch, IA, at GPS 41.6700, -91.3470. It is about 41 mi from Davenport.
Can you camp near Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Tailwater East, about 10 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace?
Places worth a stop nearby: Amana Colonies (28 mi), Maquoketa Caves State Park (43 mi), Field of Dreams Movie Site (59 mi) and Snake Alley (61 mi).
When is the best time to visit Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Birthplace?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)