Huntington – Supervisor Chad A.
Lupinacci, Councilman Eugene Cook, and Town Historian Robert Hughes joined
Huntington High School officials, students, a President Theodore Roosevelt
impersonator and representatives from Sagamore Hill on September 20 to unveil a
historical marker at Municipal Lot 49 on the west side of New York Avenue north
of Gerard Street commemorating President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to
Huntington on July 4, 1903, in celebration of the Town of Huntington’s 250th
Anniversary.
"President Theodore Roosevelt
was the second – and last – sitting president to visit Huntington; the first
was George Washington in 1790. Roosevelt's most famous visit was for
Huntington's 250th anniversary. They daylong celebration featured a parade,
speeches, a gala dinner, and an exhibit of colonial artifacts. Those artifacts
formed the basis of the collection of the Huntington Historical Society, which
itself grew out of the celebration," said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci.
"The historical marker we are unveiling today highlights the following quote
from the speech our former President delivered on that day: 'In civil life we
need decency, honesty. We are not to be excused as a people if we ever condone
dishonesty.' This is advice to heed for our representative government at all
levels."
“Thank you to Huntington School District
students Kaitlyn Sage and Luke Farrell and Chairman of Humanities, Joseph Leavy
for their hard work and dedication to researching President Theodore
Roosevelt’s speech that took place here in Huntington on July 4, 1903. It was
an honor to be part of marking the spot that President Roosevelt once stood and
even more appropriate to recognize Ms. Sage, Mr. Farrell and Mr. Leavy as they
are true examples of a famous quote by Theodore Roosevelt: ‘Far and away the
best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing,’”
stated Councilman Cook. “Kaitlyn, Luke and Mr. Leavy will allow parents to
educate their children about the history of Huntington and our great President
Roosevelt which is always the most important work for the future of our
community and country; and I personally thank them.”
The historical marker was donated to
the Town by the 2018 Huntington High School Student Government. Huntington High
School students recited lines from the speech President Theodore Roosevelt
delivered to Huntington residents at the 250th Anniversary celebration, Boy
Scout Troop 12 provided a Color Guard and Theodore Roosevelt impersonator Leer
Leary delivered remarks ahead of the unveiling.
In the photos (l-r): (1) Town
Historian Robert Hughes; Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci; Luke Farrell; Councilman
Eugene Cook; Dominick Stanley; Kaitlyn Sage unveil historical marker while
President Theodore Roosevelt impersonator Leer Leary addresses the crowd. (2)
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci; Luke Farrell; Kaitlyn Sage; President Theodore
Roosevelt impersonator Leer Leary. (3) Members of the Huntington Historical
Society impersonating "Ladies in White" in photo on historical
marker; Boy Scout Troop 12 member of the Color Guard; Town Historian Robert
Hughes; Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci; Luke Farrell; Dominick Stanley; Kaitlyn
Sage; Councilman Eugene Cook unveil historical marker while President Theodore
Roosevelt impersonator Leer Leary addresses the crowd.
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