New England Society of New York facts for kids
The New England Society in the City of New York (NES) is a very old group in the United States. It's one of the oldest charity groups in the country. It started in 1805. Its main goal was to help people from New England who lived in New York City. They wanted to encourage friendship and support among them.
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History of the Society
The New England Society held its first meeting on May 6, 1805. It took place at the home of James Watson. He was a merchant and a leader, and he became the first president of the NES. His old house is still standing today. It is a historic place. It was also where Elizabeth Ann Seton lived. She was the first American Catholic saint. Today, the house is part of a church and a special shrine.
Annual Dinners and Famous Speakers
The first yearly dinner for the Society happened on December 21, 1805. About 154 members attended this dinner. Since that first year, the Society has held a dinner every year. They have had many famous people speak at these events. These speakers included important leaders like U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant and President Theodore Roosevelt. Famous writers like Mark Twain also spoke. Other notable speakers were Daniel Webster and Woodrow Wilson.
The Pilgrim Statue
In 1885, the New England Society of New York gave a special gift to New York City. This gift was a statue called The Pilgrim. The artist, John Quincy Adams Ward, made the statue out of bronze. It stands about 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall. The statue shows a Pilgrim. These were British people who came to the New World in 1620. They sailed on a ship called the Mayflower. The statue stands on a small hill in Central Park. It looks out over a road called East Drive.
Education and Scholarships
In 1953, the NES started a special program. It is called the NES Scholarship Program. This program helps young students go to college. The Society gives money to students from New York City. These students attend colleges and universities in the New England area. This helps them get a good education.
Joining the Society
The main office for the New England Society is in New York City. To become a full member, you need to show that your family came from New England. Or, you might have studied or lived there. People who just like New England can also join. They can become associate members.
Well-Known Members
- Chester A. Arthur
- William T. Blodgett
- William Cullen Bryant
- Grover Cleveland
- Calvin Coolidge
- Horace Greeley
- Rush Christopher Hawkins
- Morris K. Jessup
- John F. Kennedy
- Seth Low
- Nathaniel Frary Miller
- J.P. Morgan
- Levi P. Morton
- Charles Pratt
- John D. Rockefeller
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Elihu Root
- Elliott Fitch Shepard
- Charles Tiffany
- John Trumbull
See also
- New England Soldiers' Relief Association
