Florida NY Historial Society

Searra Bell’s renovation in the Ray Green Home

SEWARD'S DAY , SATURDAY, MAY 20 ,2017 William Henry Seward's Birthday will be celebrated this year on Saturday, May 20,2017. Seward's Birthday celebration will begin with a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Seward Monument at 9:45.Gary Randall , President of the Florida Historical Society, flhistoricalsociety.com.will welcome everyone to the annual Seward'sDay Program which will be held inside S.S. Seward Institute in the Cafetorium. .... After the Pledge of Allegiance the Golden Hill Elementary 4th grade will show a power point presentation on their historic walking tour of our village hosted by the Historical Society members and community leaders. The 7th grade will make a presentation of information on William Henry Seward and his family. "The Young Historians" lead by Joan Kissinger will wear period clothing and will be present in the Cafetorium. Edward Dubin, member of the Florida Historical Society will give a presentation on a little known but pivotal decision of William Henry Seward, Secretary of State in President Lincoln's Administration, to build the Monitor, an ironclad warship and how it affected the outcome of the Civil War.The presentation will include a power point program prepared by Bob Scott, with a description of the Battle of Hampton Roads and models of the North's ironclad ship, the Monitor and the Confederacy's ironclad ship the Virginia, previously known as the Merrimac. On display in the Cafetorium there will be books with photos of both ironclad ships and models of the Monitor and the Virginia. There will also be a table with books and memorabilia from John Kimiecik's Collection loaned by Dorothy Kimiecik. . Mr Mark Stewart, 7th grade history teacher, will be remembered for his contributions to Seward's Day. A table will display his collection of Seward family historical items that were given to the Historical Society by his widow. Books will be presented to the three local libraries, Golden Hill Elementary School, S.S. Seward Institute and the Florida Public Library. At the conclusion of Seward's Day , refreshment including a very special Birthday Cakewill be enjoyed by everyone at the Seward Birthday Celebration. The Seward's Day celebration is open to the Public and we encourage everyone to attend and learn about William Henry Seward.

This year The Florida Historical Society’s yearly award to a deserving S.S.Seward Institute student went to Natalie Miller. She received this award for designing and creating a library for four generations of books dating back to the early 1800s in the Green Family homestead, bequeathed to the Florida Historical Society by Raymond Green in his will. Natalie will also receive a Girl Scout Gold Award for designing and creating this library.... She oversaw pulling up the linoleum on the floor of the long, narrow room,and the Historical Society refinished the existing floors. Natalie spent many hours repairing the 150+ year old cracked plaster walls, and repainted them. In this process she found books that are almost 200 years old, her favorite was a book donated to the S.S. Seward Institute by Frederick W. Seward that was signed by him. She also found many books on local history and newspapers from the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962). She said it was genuinely a lot of fun to just get lost in all of these books. She said she is proud of the work she did and is glad it could benefit my community. The Florida Historical Society is also very proud of Natalie Miller, for designing and setting up a library in the Green Family home, where there was no previous library. Everyone who visits the Green Family home and sees the library, a permanent improvement in the Green Family home, will admire and appreciate Natalie Miller's work. Congratulations Natalie Miller!

Have Your Picture Taken for the Holidays: The Historic Green Home, which will be decorated for the holidays, will serve as a beautiful backdrop for pictures of you and your family. Pictures will be taken in the Green Home's Music Room decorated with a Victorian Christmas Tree or in the beautiful Victorian Bedroom designed and restored by our own Girl Scout, Searra Bell. Perfect for Christmas Cards or framing. Portraits will be taken on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 ad 4,... 12:00 - 5:00 pm. Walk-in are welcome or you can sign up for a time slot by calling Kathy Randall at (845) 651-7466 through November 30 and Joan Kissinger (845) 651-5483 from December 1. Portraits of up to two people are $7.00 and group portraits of three or more people are $10.00. You will receive one 4x6 portrait, additional photos and cards can be purchased from the photographer. These pictures would make wonderful gifts, in time for the Holidays.