Garfield Trail of Ohio launching 'Discovering Garfield' speaker series

Mar. 27—The Garfield Trail of Ohio is presenting its first speaker in its new lecture series, "Discovering Garfield," at 5:30 p.m. March 28 at Lake Erie College's College Hall Social Parlor.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in front of the building in Painesville.

Additional presentations are planned to take place at some of the secondary sites in Northeast Ohio related to President James A. Garfield and his family, officials noted.

"We're hoping to broaden our audience as well as to educate and inspire residents about the continuing legacy that's right around them," said Garfield Trail Secretary Debbie Weinkamer, who also portrays Lucretia Garfield during regional historical events.

The talk is being presented by National Park Service Ranger Alan Gephardt of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site.

"We are expecting a nice crowd of 40 or so, including some dignitaries like State Rep. Dan Troy, Lake Erie College President Jennifer Schuller, Hiram Mayor Anne Hayman and a special guest," Weinkamer said. "Most of our attendees will be pleasantly surprised to learn of the connections between James A., his son, James Rudolph, and Lake Erie Seminary, now Lake Erie College.

Forthcoming Garfield Trail events include:

—Memorial Day observances at Lake View Cemetery — 10:30 a.m. May 27

—Historian and author C. W. Goodyear lecture and book signing at Garfield's Moreland Hills birthplace cabin — 10 a.m. June 1

—Goodyear lecture and book signing at Lake View Cemetery, Garfield Memorial — Noon June 14

—Goodyear lecture and book signing at Hiram College at the Garfield-Robbins-Zimmerman House — 10:30 a.m. June 15

—Goodyear lecture and book signing at James A. Garfield National Historic Site Visitors Center — Noon June 16

"We will (also) have an event at the Solon Historical Society, a site where Garfield both taught and preached," said Tim Garfield, the great-great-grandson of the 20th president and executive director of the Garfield Trail.

"His sisters both lived in Solon and his parents are interred at Roselawn Cemetery in Solon," he added, noting more events are in the works, including a fundraising event later this year and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Lake View Cemetery memorial in November.

The Garfield Trail of Ohio is a nonprofit support group for the four main Garfield sites in Northeast Ohio which serves to preserve and promote James A. Garfield's legacy and family through advocacy, service, and philanthropy.

For more information, visit www.garfieldtrailohio.wixsite.com/1831.