Reviews of Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum (Tourist Attraction)

Cathi La Sota

The exhibit space is well worth the price of admission. Museum staff is welcoming. And the gift shop has a good amount of souvenir options for reasonable prices. Please note, this is not part of the NPS site, so there is an admission fee that a NPS pass won't cover.

Max Spann

Great part of US History. Golden years

Nancy Wright

Very nice facility. Informative exhibits that we enjoyed, lots of video clips to view.

Hugo Hackenbush

$10 admission. America the Beautiful, National Parks Pass, Federal Recreational Lands Pass not accepted. It's "National Archives". But their gift shop is accessible for "free"...

Bryce Caster

One of the best Presidential Libraries. The museum does a great job of telling the story of Hoover's entire life- not just his presidency. I would highly recommend a visit here if in Iowa.

Donni Anderson

Very large museum with a lot of info!

Linda Alexander

The tree exhibit is unique, and worth one's time to visit and view.

Prickles Hoggington

This museum was delightful. Our entire family enjoyed learning about Hoover and his life. I never knew how much work Hoover did outside of the presidency, and it was interesting to see how is life developed from such humble beginnings. The kids loved the interactive dress-up area towards the end. They also liked how many of the exhibits had life-size figures instead of doing everything in miniature. Seeing the artifacts and creative displays was delightful for all of us. We also watched the movie. I liked the movie overall, but the auditorium had a slightly musky smell to it. Overall, it is well worth the price of admission. I'm sure we'll visit this museum again when we are in the area.

storm spotter

I dont remember what year my school took us on the field trip but it was so interesting I'm going back in June this year 2017 to explore a little bit more I think it's been over 10 years sents I went their I miss and loved my child hood

Dave Bahnsen

Very nicely laid out. Everything is in easy walking distance. Well informed and courteous staff. Right off the interstate in a typical, small Iowa town

Rodyna L Zabbit

This is the Presidential Library site which was great! But this is a totally separate unit from the NPS Historic Site which is located at 110 Parkside Drive (just before intersection). Because this is a NARA site, they do NOT accept the Public Lands Passes for entry into the museum! Even with knowledge of the difference, we still got a total grumpy attitude from the bookstore clerk... who insisted HE must stamp and also write in the date in our Presidential Library Passport. Plus, wouldn't stamp a second one! We've visited almost all the libraries and this is the first grumpy attitude and unfriendly bookstore clerk. I guess we interrupted his nap

Andrew Chandler

What a real gem. It really tells a very honest and unvarnished story of a gentleman who started in obscurity and rose to prominence.

Kelsey Shoemaker

Staff is incredibly knowledgable and often greet you with a smile. The museum is clean and well maintained. Went here a lot as a child, was offered a summer internship after I graduated college (turned it down because I had already been offered full time employment). Always have a nice experience.

Beth Kramer

Very fun and educational. Stopped on our honeymoon to mount rushmore. Learned a lot

Logan D

Great library. Gives you a different side of him that most do not know about. Very well done with the village near by and the gravesite. Overall we enjoyed it and for it being the first one we think it earns a place on a list of the best. Would recommend going to for anyone wanting to learn about Hoover or anyone in the area looking for something to do. Great learning opportunity.

Kathryn Clement

As a history buff, my husband and I loved this museum!

Chris Mahoney

We were just passing through on our way home to Illinois after a 9 day road trip and decided to stop. Boy are we glad we did. Many Presidential museums talk about everything you already know about the person, but this one went WAY beyond that. We spent almost 1/2 the day here which put us behind schedule, but it was totally worth it.

PANG YAYUE

I love it

Christopher Merck

Good experience.

Brent Ellis

Really great museum and the park is beautiful. Museum exhibits are impartial and display both the good and bad opinions of Hoover and his presidency. Be sure and visit the gravesite near the back of the park.

Pace Chaillie

I did a big slide about this place there was a lot to learn I heard good revuse it was fun to learn about it and now i want to visit

B.J. Dr.

(Translated by Google) Hoover Presidential Memorial. Small (Original) 후버대통령 기념관. 작지만 알차다

Allen E. Giles

The people working at this location were rude and unwelcoming. The ranger on duty followed me around to all the exhibits, including the gravesite, without ever engaging me in conversation. When I asked him "Haven't I seen you before?" his response was "I don't know. What do you think?" I believe that because I was an African American male on my own in a place where few people of color ever appear, he was following me because he thought I was a security risk of some sort. I can't recommend this place.

Jeevadeepan Amuthurajan

A well spent $10. If you're a history buff, you'll love this place. The museum has so many things to say about the 31st president of the US. The exhibits are well thought of and very informative. The town (West Branch) itself is quite scenic and I enjoyed walking around the streets.

Joshua Olson

The museum gives a great overview of Hoover's life from start to finish. I suggest starting with the 22 minute video presentation in the auditorium before venturing into the exhibits. It serves as a nice primer before you dig into the details. No matter your political leanings, Hoover's personal story is fascinating and includes so much more than the singular event he is often associated with. Hoover and his wife Lou Henry are also buried on the grounds. The current standard admission is $10 and the staff I interacted with were very helpful.

Matthew Rafat

A must-see when in Iowa City. Museum does an excellent job with President Herbert “Bert” Hoover’s wife, Lou, not just the President. Be sure to catch the free short film on Hoover’s life. (April 2018)

Brennan Hobbs

Hoover did nothing to pull our country out of the Great Depression and left the job solely to Roosevelt

Shirley Lach

Loved all the exhibits

Steve H.

The introductory movie was a great way to start the museum tour. There are wonderful displays in the museum besides the narrative story about Hoover. These displays add more life to the stories. The grounds also include the Hoover grave site and his birth homestead. You can tour inside the home, a blacksmith building and a schoolhouse. This is one of the best presidential sites I have visited.

Mike Malone

This visit to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum, Home and Library was an eye opening experience. I thought this was the president that couldn’t get us out of the depression, but he was so much more. His accomplishments as a mining engineer, humanitarian and warrior to minimize federal government were inspiring. He may not have had the most glowing presidency, but his life was one worth knowing and emulating by every American. You really should be required to visit every Presidential Library before you run for President.

Josh E.

Hoover isn't the most admired, but he was overall a good president. This museum isn't as flashy as some others but if you're passing through the great state of Iowa, you might as well visit it. I went to Herbert Hoover High School in Des Moines! The Hoover Dam is also worth visiting.

Vitalii Opekunov

Must stop if you're in the area. Interesting 25mins documentary, great exposition exploring the era. Staff very pleasant.

Shawna T

Beautiful grounds! Friendly Staff and wonderful place to visit!!

Ben Kaster

Interesting tour and scenic, delightful area where the Hoover family lived. You can also see the gravestone of him and his wife on a hill. From the hill, you can view his childhood home down below.

Sandy Kallas

Well done

JoAnn Alleman

This was a delightful visit. To read everything and understand about the US was then and NOW makes me wish we had more candidates of Hoover’s character. The present Prez could learn a lot about humility , the ability to live on the basics in life and most of all, the need to show true compassion for all people! Hoover’s burial site is so simplistic... and he looks down upon the home of his birth. I recommend taking your children and making this a stop on your vacation route.