A reprint of my latest article in the Springville Times: Fall Bucket List: Historic Political Sites
Tuesday, November 7th is Election Day. While studying up on your local candidates before you go out to your polling place next week, why not schedule a bit of time to brush up on a little political history at one of our Western New York landmarks?
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site located at 641 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY is the site where Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President on September 14th, 1901 following President William McKinley’s assassination. A historical marker designating the spot of the inauguration sits outside of the Wilcox House Museum.
According to the website, “At the TR Site, you are transported back to the excitement of Buffalo’s heyday and the Pan-American Exposition, as well as the drama of September 1901. You can follow Roosevelt as he arrives in Buffalo, contemplates the major issues he will face, takes the oath of office and begins his presidency.”
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site is the only the National Park Service location in Western New York and is open year round for visitors, by guided tour only. Tours are scheduled hourly, beginning at 9:30 a.m. weekdays and 12:30 p.m. weekends. For more information visit www.trsite.org or call (716) 884-0095.
On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot while greeting visitors of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, a plaque designating this historical spot is located in the middle of the road on the median of Fordham Drive in Buffalo (between Elmwood Avenue and Lincoln Parkway) The bronze historical marker reads: “In the Pan-American Temple of Music which covered this spot, President McKinley was fatally shot Sept. 6, 1901.”
Several memorials and monuments can be found outside of City Hall in Niagara Square at 65 Niagara Street, Buffalo including a memorial to President William McKinley and bronze statutes of Grover Cleveland and Millard Fillmore.
The Millard Fillmore House is a National Historic Landmark located at 24 Shearer Avenue in East Aurora, NY where President Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States lived from 1826-1830. The house contains period furniture and artifacts connected with Millard Fillmore’s life along with beautiful gardens. From December-May the museum arranges special tours for visitors. For more information visit www.aurorahistoricalsociety.com/pages/millard-fillmore-presidential-site or call (716) 652-4735.
The Buffalo History Museum located at 1 Museum Court, Buffalo, NY offers a wide range of exhibits and has an extensive collection of historical artifacts, including the revolver used to kill President William McKinley. The Museum is open on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.Thursday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information visit www.buffalohistory.org or call (716) 873-9644.
Forest Lawn Cemetery located at 1411 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY is the final resting place of Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States as well as Shirley Chisholm, the first major-party black candidate for President of the United States in 1972. The Fall/Winter hours (November 1 – March 31) are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m at the Delaware Avenue entrance and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Main Street entrance. For more information visit www.forest-lawn.com or call (716) 288-5999.
The Susan B. Anthony House, located at 17 Madison Street, Rochester, NY is a National Historic Landmark and the home of the American civil rights leader Susan B. Anthony as well as the site of her arrest for voting in 1872 and the headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Association while she served as President. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.susanbanthonyhouse.org or call (585) 235-6124.
Located at 305 East Fourth Street Jamestown, New York, the Robert H. Jackson Center is dedicated to the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday tours are available by appointment. For more information visit www.roberthjackson.org or call (716) 483-6646.