Seward Institute receives $7,000 local history grant

Florida - The sponsoring groups - Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, The National Park Service, the Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Rep. Sue Kelly and other lawmakers - were a varied group. Bottom line, though, was the $7,000 grant awarded to S.S. Seward Institute to allow seventh- and eighth-grade students to examine in depth the life and times of Florida’s favorite son, William H. Seward. Sarah Olson of the National Park Service summed up the grant program succinctly at the ceremonies last Friday at the historic New Windsor Cantonment: “Place-based education-techniques for using cultural, historical and environmentally significant sites as classrooms is a powerful addition to any teacher’s repertoire.” The Seward grant was a joint effort of the Florida Historical Society and the S.S. Seward Institute. The two individuals who were most responsible for researching and filing the grant proposal were Historical Society member Joan Kissinger and Seward history teacher Mark Stewart. This fall the serious planning stage kicks in which will provide in-depth programs through the course of the year. Stewart mentioned an on-line Museum, making use of the considerable collection of the Florida Historical Society. The students also will zero in on the Civil War period when Seward, Secretary of State in Lincoln’s cabinet, played a major behind-the-scenes role. Seward, who also carried the title of president of the Seward Institute during those hectic days, still found time to send personal notes and awards to students at the “Institute.” Kelly, the Republican from Katonah who is seeking re-election from the 19th Congressional District, worked with other New York legislators to get the Hudson Valley approved as a federally designated Heritage Area.. “This grant money will enable local teachers to hold on-site lessons with their students at various local landmarks, and it will help our children better appreciate the nationally significant history and natural resources right here in their backyards,” Kelly said.