Birthplace of Memorial Day Hosts
150th Consecutive Observance

This May, Waterloo, the official Birthplace of Memorial Day, will observe the 150th Memorial Day by returning to the first Memorial Day in 1866 through a spectacular Living History presentation, while continuing to present the myriad of events of Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day.

During Celebrate Commemorate weekend, Waterloo will host the largest concentration of Civil War reenactors in one site in the Northeast.  Groups will gather from throughout the Eastern United States, including infantry, signal crops, artillery, and fraternal organizations such as the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, Auxiliary to the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War including two Past Presidents of the DUVCW.

The Birthplace of Memorial Day is honored to host a visit by the two major figures of the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant. Lee, portrayed by Norman Joy, and Grant, portrayed by Larry Clowers will be making several appearances at the Living History gathering on Oak Island and at special events throughout Celebrate Commemorate.  General Grant will be accompanied by his wife, Julia, portrayed by Clowers’ wife, Constance..
Both men – and other visiting dignitaries -will be available to take questions from the press and public at a press conference at the Presenters Tent near the Waterloo Community Center at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, following the Freedom Parade down Main Street at 11 a.m.
Other presenters at Living History will include President Lincoln portrayed by Fritz Kline, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman portrayed by Carolyn Evans, Frederick Douglass portrayed by Michael E. Crutcher Sr., Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner portrayed by Doug McGovern, Dr. Mary Walker and spy Belle Boyd portrayed by Marilyn Dirk, Clara Barton portrayed by Eleanor Sterns, Northern sympathizer Elizabeth Van Lew portrayed by Nancy Karasinski,  mortician portrayed by Don Williams, Rev. Scott portrayed by Marty Hillman, Sisterhood of Spies portrayed by Nancy Karasinski and friends, Mary Gahan of the 148th NYVI portrayed by Caren Cleaveland, Civil War surgeon portrayed by Fred Till, Christian Commission by Beth and Jessica Cade, Colonel John B. Murray portrayed by Tim Bills and President Teddy Roosevelt portrayed by Gib Young. Special guests will include the famed 20th and 26th United States Colored Troops from New York City.  

The encampments of both Union and Confederate reenactors will present Civil War camp life including many events such as camp cooking, children’s crafts, military training and drills, a Grand Review with President Lincoln, presentations by Civil War surgeons, morticians, sutlers, photographers, artillery with cannon fire, and support by the Christian Commission and the Sanitary Commission.

During the village’s Memorial Day weekend events each year, an illumination and remembrance ceremony is conducted at the American Civil War Memorial on Friday evening.  At 8 p.m. May 27, the family of the late Dale Theetge and the NY 7th Cavalry will lead the procession with the memorial lantern.

The roll call of the fallen will be given by General Ulysses S. Grant during which time lighted candles, flags and roses will be placed at each cenotaph as the names of the honored dead are read.  Tim Bills of the 140th NY Volunteer Infantry, as Gen. John B. Murray, will recall the history of Memorial Day in Waterloo.  The keynote address will be given by Frederick Douglass, who will deliver his Arlington Decoration Day speech.

Young men from Waterloo and the surrounding counties earned a marvelous reputation for valor during the Civil War.  The story of the 148th New York Volunteers has been compiled in a book and CD by Waterloo native George Shadman, He will discuss the 148th history and sign his CD on Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29.

What was President Lincoln thinking about as he lay dying after he was shot at Ford’s Theater? Join us as we welcome Fritz Klein, one of the nation’s preeminent Abraham Lincoln portrayers, for his magnificent performance of “The Last Full Measure: Lincoln’s Final Hours.”

Written by renowned Illinois playwright Dr. Ken Bradbury, “The Last Full Measure: Lincoln’s Final Hours” is a gripping one-act play that will leave you breathless and talking about it for days.

A special Reconciliation Event will take place Saturday, May 28th at Waterloo’s, American Civil War Memorial.  This memorial was built by the citizens in honor of the 58 men from Waterloo who died in the Civil War. The Reconciliation Event will bring the North and South together for healing and reuniting. Fritz Klein will deliver a speech he wrote for the 200-year-old National Park Service to use during the Lincoln Funeral Train events. The authentic Civil War Excelsior Cornet Band will perform.

During the Civil War, the Village of Waterloo was not only committed to supporting the Union efforts, but also was well positioned in the Underground Railroad with several houses being used as stations for runaway slaves.   The village also was the Birthplace of the Women’s Rights movement when women met at the M’Clintock House to write the Declaration of Sentiments and plan the first Women’s Rights Convention held in nearby Seneca Falls in 1848. Women’s Rights National Historical Park will have special events at the M’Clintock House during the weekend.

The 17th annual Celebrate Commemorate May 27-29 will bring thousands of people “home” to Waterloo to participate in events that will delight every family member. They include historical tours, musical concerts, arts and craft shows, culinary demonstrations, children’s games and performances, a youth essay contest, a big parade celebrating our freedom at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, and other special events.  

On May 30, the actual Memorial Day in keeping with Logan’s Orders, students will decorate graves of veterans, there will be prayer services in the village cemeteries, the village’s VFW and American Legion will conduct a military parade at 4 p.m.. Ceremonies in Lafayette Park will feature government officials and special dignitaries.

Celebrate Commemorate events will be May 27-29.  The 150th observance of Memorial Day will be on May 30. To learn more about Celebrate Commemorate and Waterloo’s 150th observance of Memorial Day, and see a full schedule of events and Living History presentations, go to  http://waterloony.com/memorial-day/celebrate-commemorate/