The Artist-in-Residence Program at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site promotes creative means of communicating the park's national significance and its relevance to park visitors. Artists have been part of national parks since the 1870s when famed painters played a vital role in documenting the majestic landscapes of the West. It was through their works of art that many first saw these special places in America. Today artists are working in more than 40 units of the National Park Service through Artist-in-Residence Programs. Works from past Artists-in-Residence at Herbert Hoover NHS are on display in the park's visitor center.
The 2011 Artist-in-Residence Program at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site featured two writers, Dr. Gaynell Gavin and M.S. Coe. Each contributed a piece of writing inspired by their residencies this summer. Dr. Gavin's essay "Reflections of a Neophyte Prairie Topophiliac" and Ms. Coe's short story "Summer Yardscape" are posted on the park's website at http://www.nps.gov/heho/
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online to www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.