William Henry Seward Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Henry Seward Memorial
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Memorial in 2007
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| Location | Florida, New York |
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| Nearest city | Middletown |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Daniel Chester French, Richard Henry Dana III |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001489 |
| Added to NRHP | 1999 |
The William Henry Seward Memorial is a special monument in Florida, New York. It stands on Main Street, which is also NY 17A and 94. This memorial honors William Henry Seward, a famous person who was born in Florida. He had a long career helping the country. His most important job was being the Secretary of State for President Abraham Lincoln. In this role, he helped the United States buy Alaska from Russia.
The memorial has a bronze statue, called a bust, of Seward. It was made by Daniel Chester French, a very famous artist. He also created the large statue of Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The bust sits in the middle of a small, round area with benches. These benches were designed by Richard Henry Dana III. Right behind the memorial is the S. S. Seward Institute, which is the local high school. It is named after Seward's father. The memorial was first shown to the public on September 24, 1930. It was fixed up in 2000 after being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Contents
Who Was William Henry Seward?
William Henry Seward was an important American politician. He was born in Florida, New York. He served as a U.S. Senator and as the Governor of New York. His most famous role was being the Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln.
The Alaska Purchase
One of Seward's biggest achievements was arranging the purchase of Alaska. In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia. This deal was sometimes called "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox" at first. People thought it was a bad idea to buy such a cold, distant land. However, it turned out to be a very smart move. Alaska is rich in natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals. It also has beautiful wilderness. This purchase greatly expanded the size of the United States.
Exploring the Memorial's Design
The William Henry Seward Memorial is a beautiful and important landmark. It helps people remember Seward's contributions to the country.
The Bust and Benches
The main part of the memorial is the bronze bust of William Henry Seward. A bust is a sculpture that shows only the head and shoulders of a person. Daniel Chester French, the artist, was known for making realistic and powerful sculptures. The bust of Seward shows him looking thoughtful and determined. The benches around the bust make the memorial a peaceful place to sit and reflect. They add to the quiet beauty of the area.
When Was the Memorial Built?
The memorial was completed and shown to the public in 1930. This means it has been standing for over 90 years. It was designed in a style called Classical Revival. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. In 1999, the memorial was recognized as a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important buildings, sites, and objects across the United States. Being on this list helps protect the memorial for future generations.
Keeping the Memorial Safe
Like many public monuments, the William Henry Seward Memorial needs care. In 2007, the memorial was damaged by vandalism. The bust of Seward was moved a little, and one of the benches was cracked. Thankfully, the memorial was repaired and restored. This shows how important it is to protect historical sites.
