Most people recognize Rutherford B. Hayes as a president of the United States. Some may even know that he was the 19th. When schoolboys or schoolgirls choose a class project mapping hometowns of Ohio's eight presidents, they learn Rutherford Birchard Hayes is from Fremont. The 82 pieces represent the first major showing of Nast's Civil War and newspaper illustrations.
Selections remain up in halls near the museum's library.
Nast drew more than 2,000 cartoons for Harper's Weekly over 20 years. His powerful pen put Tammany Hall boss William Tweed in prison. He created such symbols as the Republican elephant, Democratic donkey, Uncle Sam and Santa Claus. People who couldn't read the articles could understand his cartoons. He stated personal convictions in his art work and was often ruthless.