The political sign has been removed from in front of my house and my campaign truck is parked around back, as we prepare to celebrate the 200th birthday of my great-great-great grandfather, General James S. Wadsworth today, at the house he built. The Wadsworth Guard re-enactors will be arriving soon to set up camp on the valley side of the house, with the general public invited to attend from noon to 5 pm.
The admission charge of $5 per person (or $10 per carload) will be donated to the General Wadsworth Statue Fund, which has been raising money to erect a local replica of the General’s statue that stands at Gettysburg. Since the total cost of that project approaches $100,000, we are hoping for a good turnout.
The highlight of the day will be a commemorative ceremony at 3 p.m. which will include remarks by SUNY Geneseo Historian (and Geneseo Democratic Party Chair) Judith Hunter and a recitation of the Gettysburg Address by another descendant of the General, my cousin Sidney Symington. One person who will not be giving a speech is me, although I will be leading house tours throughout the afternoon.
People of all political faiths and supporters of all local candidates (and even the candidates themselves) are invited to attend. Just leave your politics at home.
May 8, 2008 at 8:16 am
[...] to celebrate the 200th birthday of my great-great-great grandfather, General james S. Wadsworhttp://strongforsupervisor.wordpress.com/2007/10/07/a-non-political-day/Geneseo, New York – Historical Homes Walking TourJames and William wadsworth first settled the [...]