Waterloo Will Celebrate Its 150th Memorial Day

Originally published April 2016 · p. 22

Waterloo Will Celebrate Its 150th Memorial Day WATERLOO, N.Y. — The village of Waterloo, the birthplace of Memorial Day, will observe its 150th consecutive Memorial Day this year. President Lyndon Johnson in 1966 gave Waterloo the birthplace honor, which other communities have claimed. Grand Army of the Republic national commander Gen. John Logan on May 5, 1868, designated May 30 of that year as Decoration Day, calling for graves of those who died defending their country to be strewn with flowers or otherwise decorated. This year’s 17th Annual Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day events scheduled May 27-30 will be preceded by a month of observances including parades, balls, presentations and a motorcycle bike rally. Walking tours and a dinner theater reenactment of the history of Memorial Day will begin the commemoration on May 5. A period fashion show and tea are scheduled May 14. On May 30, Memorial Day in keeping with Logan’s Orders, children will decorate veterans’ graves and there will be prayer services in the village cemeteries. May 27-29 events include historical tours, dramatic performances, concerts, arts and craft shows, children’s activities and a Saturday parade. Organizers hope to host the largest concentration of US and CS reenactors and heritage groups in the Northeast. In addition to soldier encampments, which will include New York U.S. Colored Troops, events will include a review by President Lincoln, military and civilian presentations, artillery fire, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass giving his Decoration Day address at Arlington National Cemetery. A Saturday Reconciliation Event at Waterloo’s American Civil War Memorial will include Lincoln, President and Mrs. Grant, Tubman, Douglass, Robert E. Lee,, photographer Alexander Gardner,

Dr. Mary Walker, Belle Boyd, Clara Barton, Northern sympathizer Elizabeth Van Lew and others. During the Civil War, Waterloo was committed to supporting the Union efforts and 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. Waterloo’s National Memorial Day Museum will host a dignitary reception prior to the parade. Ceremonies in Lafayette Park will feature government officials and special dignitaries. For information go to http://waterloony.com