Westchester residents interested in the county’s rich history now have another location to learn and go back in time to when one of our greatest presidents made his only stop in the area.
In 1849, the Hudson River Railroad finally reached Peekskill. On Feb. 11, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln left Springfield, Ill., and arrived in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 23 for his inauguration as president of the United States. Prior to that, he made a brief stop in Peekskill on Feb. 19, at the invitation of one of Peekskill’s most prominent citizens, William Nelson, a local lawyer and former congressman who served with Lincoln.
By all accounts, a large crowd gathered to witness Lincoln’s visit. A local newspaper reported, “A large assemblage, about 1,500 or thereabouts was gathered, all quiet, orderly and curiously expectant.” Past City Historian Colin Naylor Jr. further said: “Farmers and their families from all parts of Cortlandtown, Putnam County and Yorktown joined the villagers at the station.”
Lincoln spoke briefly, but his impact lasted a lifetime for those who were there to witness the event. The scene was dramatic and even included student soldiers from the local military academy, later to be known as the Peekskill Military Academy.
This historic event still resonates today as an inspiration to the study of local history and historic preservation. It caused the formation of the Lincoln Society in Peekskill in 1903, which continues to be the oldest continually active such society in the United States. Perhaps it was Chauncey Depew, as president of the railroad, who prevented the destruction of the depot building, thus enabling the citizens today to relive and celebrate Peekskill’s historic significance.
The National Park Service highlighted the importance of Lincoln’s Peekskill stop in 2011, when it included Peekskill as one of its few re-enacted events commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s inaugural journey.
Located by Peekskill Bay on the east bank of the Hudson River, The Lincoln Depot Museum is a 3,000-square-foot, 19th century freight and passenger rail depot where Lincoln spoke the following words: “I have but a moment to stand before you to listen to and return your kind greeting. I thank you for this reception, and for the pleasant manner in which it is tendered to me by our mutual friends. I will say in a single sentence, in regard to the difficulties that lie before me and our beloved country, that if I can only be as generously and unanimously sustained as the demonstration I have witnessed indicate I shall be, I shall not fail; but without your sustaining hands I am sure that neither I nor any other man can hope to surmount these difficulties. I trust in the course I shall pursue I shall be sustained not only by the party that elected me, but by the patriotic people of the whole country.”
The museum opened April 26 with three days of events, presentations, soldier encampment and demonstrations, and a visit from Gen. U.S. Grant. A ribbon cutting was held for the newly finished Lincoln Depot Visitor’s Center.
The City of Peekskill turned over the operation of the new building that completes the re-development of this unique historic site that began with grants to purchase the property in 2003. The historic depot structure was restored and has contained the completed museum since 2014.
The Lincoln Depot Visitor’s Center is a new structure that will house the museum offices, additional displays, a small gift shop, and an open meeting room to hold events. Funding for the entire project (the depot building, visitor’s center and grounds) came from New York State grants in 2006 under then-Gov. George Pataki. The Lincoln Depot Foundation will operate the visitor’s center as part of its site lease with the City of Peekskill, and looks to partner with local organizations to bring new events and experiences to the community.
Memberships to the museum and special weekend passes are available for Westchester County history buffs like myself, who can’t wait to enjoy this welcome addition to the history of our county. For more information, visit lincolndepotmuseum.org.
Thanks to County Legislator John Testa for his help in bringing this part of Westchester history back to life
