Happy 218th birthday, Mr. Seward

On Saturday, May 18, the Florida Historical Society, accompanied by the Seward/Mapes Homestead Committee, will be honoring William Henry Seward’s life from his birth on May 16th 1801, in Florida, New York.
The presentations will start with a wreath laying at his monument at 53 North Main St. at 9:30 a.m. In case of rain the wreath laying will be in the cafetorium.
From the Seward Monument, guests will proceed to the S.S. Seward Institute Cafetorium. In the entrance to the school, they will view paintings, depicting many aspects of W.H. Seward’s life, by first and fourth grade students at Golden Hill Elementary School. They are part of a “Village Wide Art Show” set up by art teacher Nick Camia and music teacher Kristen Risedorph.
This Art Show can be seen in numerous local businesses: The Computer Guy, Dombrowski’s, Down to Earth, Dwayne’s Glass, Hair Craft, Kwik Mart, Myles Wealth Management, New Beginnings Spa, Roe Brothers, Taco Loco, Werner’s and the Florida Public Library.
Inside the cafetorium there will be tables displaying years of the Seward family history, in particular W.H. Seward and his numerous contributions to the creation of this country, a model of the Seward Birthplace and models of the Monitor and the Merrimac, ships that fought each other at Hampton Bay in the “Battle of the Ironclads” in the Civil War.
The program will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Daniel Harter.
A power point program will be shown of the Golden Hill Elementary School’s Fourth Grade Historic Walking Tour through the Village, including the W.H. Seward Monument, Veterans’ Memorial, Seward’s Birthplace, Fire House, Village Hall and the Seward Family Cemetery Vault. The tour was attended by teachers, students and others, led by members of The Florida Historical Society and others.
Another Power Point presentation shows what Maura Rowan’s seventh grade United States History Class learned from a virtual tour of the Seward House Museum in Auburn. The presentation includes the museum tour, W.H. Seward’s early life in Florida, N.Y., his achievements as Governor of New York, as Secretary of State in the Abraham Lincoln presidency and his participation in the Underground Railroad.
The Seward Day program presentations will include a few words from special guests.
The program will conclude with a special book presentations to the Florida Public Library, Golden Hill Elementary School and S.S. Seward Institute.
The traditional Seward Song created by Dianne Leo more than 20 years ago will be sung by all. Refreshments will follow, ending approximately 11:30.
Gary Randall is president of the Florida Historical Society.