william howard taft national historic site is a historic house at 2038 auburn avenue in the mount auburn historic district of cincinnati, ohio, a mile (1.6 km) north of downtown. it was the birthplace and childhood home of william howard taft, the 27th president of the united states and the 10th chief justice of the united states. the two-story greek revival house, built circa 1835, is a reminder of the elegant era when wealthier people here could escape the dirt, heat, smoke and crowded conditions of the lower city.