DYK: "The Birthplace of Memorial Day Is In Upstate New York?"

See the "why" and "where" here. An amazing story!

Photo by Laurentiu Iordache on Unsplash

Did you know that the official “Birthplace of Memorial Day” is in little Waterloo, New York?

Located in Seneca County, this village fought off many other cities (Macon, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, and others) around the country to gain the significant “birthplace title.” Today, there is a museum on Main Street here that tells this unique claim to history. Waterloo has a population of under 5,000.

The National Memorial Day Museum is located in a stunning, 150 year old mansion on Main Street. Known as the William Burton House, the museum inside welcomes hundreds of visitors from all over the country. The exhibits, displays and priceless artifacts here all make for a very interesting tour.

Take a tour of the inside of the museum here:

One of the most interesting rooms in the museum is the Centennial Room. In 1966, 100 years after celebrating the first Memorial Day observation (called “Decoration Day”), Waterloo, NY was officially proclaimed the “Birthplace of Memorial Day.”

On May 17, 1966 the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 587 proclaiming it so, and the U.S. Senate did the same two days later. Then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law. In the Centennial Room you can see both original proclamations from Congress as well as the actual pen used by President Johnson to sign it into law!

There are many fascinating towns in the Finger Lakes region, with history around every corner. Waterloo is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Take a look below:

Just 20 minutes to the east of Waterloo is another historic place that should be on your “road trip” bucket list when visiting the Finger Lakes. Do you know who these three famous people are? If not, you really should go and visit them. They are all together here! See their pictures and biographies below! Amazing history!