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| The following are articles compiled by Terri Ariano, the Curator of the Somers Museum of the Early American Circus, and by the Somers Historical Society. MEMORIAL DAY REMEMBERED Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. General Loga issued a general order stating ". . . The 30th of May 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land . . ." In Sharfs History of Westchester County 1886, Charles Culver, author of the town of Somers chapter wrote of the community observance that " . . . Every burial place in the town contains the headstones of some of our soldiers and every Memorial Day witnesses the strewing of flowers on their graves. Almost every family carries onits records the names of one or more who became a sacrifice to the fierce war of secession." By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after WW I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. The traveler or local resident may consider a visit to one of the following: Somers Veterans Memorial east of the Elephant Hotel in the historic village next to the 1865 Civil War obelisk in Ivandell Cemetery. Mount Zion Church Burial Grounds just south of the Somers Public Library in Reis Park. A final resting place of eight Union Soldiers and three Revolutionary War Veterans. The Vietnam Memorial and American Soldiers Trail of Honor with interpretive walking path at Lasdon Park, Route 35 in Somers. Information compiled by Somers Historical Society If you wish to read more about Memorial Day, please try these links: Memorial Day History Library of Congress American Memory Project THE WRIGHT FAMILY LEGACY Curator's Notes It is fitting that we should honor a family that has made so many lasting contributions to the Town of Somers with The Wright Family Legacy exhibition. From the building of Mt Zion Church at the close of the 18th century to the bequest of the familyhomw, its contents and surrounding farmland in the 1960's by Caroline Wright Reis, the Wright family has enhanced many aspects of the quality of life in Somers. We hope Somers residents and visitors will enjoy this retrospective exhibition. Equally important, we hope future generations will continue to enjoy the cultural, historical and recreational resources that are the Wright family legacy. Exhibition Background The Daniel Wright family settled in Northern Westchester more than 240 years ago, before the Town of Somers was established. In each generation since then, Wright family members have been instrumental in shaping the Town and contributing to its growth. Pioneer Daniel Wright relocated from Dutchess County, New York in 1762 and took part with his sons in the American Revolution. In ensuing generations Wright Family members established farms, operated an inn, built one of the first Methodist Episcopal churches in Westchester County, gained fame and fortune in the menagerie business, fought in the Civil War, ushered in the reservoirs, wired the town and surrounding areas for telegraph communication and contributed to the political, educational and social life of the community. As a gift of largess, in 1967 the last surviving family member, Caroline Wright Reis, donated her land and homestead on Primrose Street to the Town for future generations to enjoy. This area, more than 80 acres in size, now serves the Town of Somers as a major recreational and cultural facility; Reis Park, Somers Library, the Wright-Reis Homestead and the National Register Sites, Mt. Zion Church and Cemetery. (This exhibition was display from September 2003 to October 2004 at the Somers Museum of the Early American Circus, Routes 202 and 100 at the Elephant Hotel). |
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