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Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Nature & Science
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(NPS Photo) | Flowering Goldenrod in the 81-acre tall grass prairie |
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Congress established Herbert Hoover National Historic Site to commemorate the life and times of Herbert Hoover, but this park offers more than a glimpse of human history. The NHS offers a vision into the rich natural history of this land through stewardship and interpretation of the resources.
The National Historic Site covers 187 acres of land in historic West Branch, Iowa. This landscape of ridges and swales once supported prairie, savanna, and forest. Today the countryside consists of farms and fields, but at Herbert Hoover NHS, visitors step back in time. Eighty-one acres of reconstructed tallgrass prairie sway in the breezes on the south and west portions of the park. A small, quiet stream meanders through the prairie and along side the small cottage where President Hoover was born. Herbert Hoover filled his childhood days with outdoor experiences. He swam and fished in Wapsinonoc Creek. He played in the nearby woodlot. He gathered fall nuts in the forest. These experiences gave Herbert Hoover an appreciation of nature that persisted throughout his life.
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Inventory & Monitoring Natural resources inventory and monitoring at Herbert Hoover NHS more... | | Prairie Restoration Volunteer Projects Volunteer to restore native tallgrass prairie on National Public Lands Day. more... | | Tallgrass Prairie The 81-acre restored tallgrass enhances the commemorative setting of the historic site. more... | | Hoover Creek The creek faces serious problems with water quality, erosion, and flooding. more... | |
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Did You Know?
The West Branch Schoolhouse was built in 1853 making it the oldest building at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. The town's Quakers also used the one-room building as their first meetinghouse.
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Last Updated: February 19, 2008 at 12:13 EST |