President McKinley Birthday Celebration & Pet Appreciation

Each year the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum proudly celebrates the anniversary of the President’s birth on the last Saturday of January, a tradition that has been observed for over a century. A wreath laying ceremony will take place at 12:00 PM outdoors, weather permitting. 

This special day will include Civil War reenactors, electrifying shows in Discover World, a focus tour held in the McKinley Gallery, along with an ode to Presidential Pets like McKinley’s parrot named Washington Post. 

Did you know that several presidential pets have made it into the history books? Pets such as President Taft’s pet cow and President Coolidge’s pet raccoon were definitely unique. No matter what kind of pet a president might have had, these animals have been vital connections for members of the public to relate to the occupants of the White House. 

In that spirit, we honor President McKinley’s birthday by hosting special pet related activities throughout the day:

• Pet themed Storytime and crafts
• Pet Plush Adoption and our one-of-a-kind Plushie Pet Clinic
• Presidential Pets presentation by our Education Director Ally Carlson
• & more!