Trip to Jamestown

After a beautiful sunrise and leaving Lee at the train, and visiting the home of the Syracuse Mets, we drove around the older sections of Syracuse looking a little sad, and enjoyed two inspiring Bible & Bagels and Torah Study. On our way to Jamestown, we stopped in Westfield, NY known as a small (4,500 people) historic, rural “Americana” community located in the western corner of Chautauqua County along the shores of Lake Erie. Westfield was once celebrated as the "Grape Juice Capital of the World" and became home to Welch’s first grape-juice plant in 1897.

It’s also known for “the famous letter” by 11 year old Grace Bedell to the then Presidential candidate Abe Lincoln in October 1860. She told him his face was too thin. She suggested growing "whiskers" would help him win. She noted that "all the ladies like whiskers" and would tease their husbands to vote for him. Lincoln replied four days later. He asked if people would find it a "silly affectation," but he ultimately grew the beard.

On February 16, 1861, Lincoln's inaugural train stopped at the Westfield Train Station where a big crowd gathered to see the President-elect. Lincoln addressed the crowd and called for Grace. He stepped down from the train car and sat with her on the platform edge. He told her, "Look at my whiskers. I have been growing them for you," and gave her a kiss. These statues were erected in 1999 in Westfield, NY, in what is now known as the Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park. Grace married Civil War veteran George Billings in 1867 and moved west to Kansas to run a successful farm and creamery with her husband. She lived to age 87, passing away in 1936.Read more