First Ladies National Historic Site Costing $1,000 per Visitor

The First Ladies National Historic Site, near Canton, Ohio, is costing taxpayers nearly $1,000 per visitor, while providing careers for the family of one U.S. Congressman, according to the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) watchdog group.

Created in 2000 under a bill sponsored by Ohio Rep. Ralph Regula, the First Ladies National Historic Site reported hosting fewer than 10,000 visitors in 2004, resulting in a cost-per-visitor deficit of about $1,000, according to data obtained by PEER under a freedom of information request.

Besides its low visitation and resulting financial shortfall, the employment practices of the First Ladies National Historic Site have spurred an investigation by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General. PEER reports that Rep. Regula’s wife and his two daughters work at the facility, hired under non-competitive contracts.

The First Ladies National Historic Site is open to the public only for pre-arranged, guided historical tours. The National Parks Service advised that persons wishing to visit should call the facility in advance at 330-452-0876.