Please stay tuned for an announcement about our THIRD Annual Seward Day Parade!

May 2024

About our second annual Seward Day Parade:

Saturday, May 13th

Presented by the Florida Historical Society

We had a great turnout honoring the Village of Florida’s native son, William Henry Seward. He was a New York Governor, State Senator,  U.S. Senator and Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln.

Steve and Irene Curcio as William and Frances Seward

Steve and Irene Curcio will be joining us as William Henry and Frances Seward. Come time travel with us!

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Featuring:

  • Henry and Frances Seward reenactors Steve and Irene Curcio  joining the parade in a horse-drawn 19th century style carriage
  •  The Young Historian boys marching as the Civil War  124th New York Volunteer Infantry, the “Orange Blossoms”
  • The Young Historian girls recreating vignettes of early Florida settlers
  • The Warwick Boy Scouts and Florida Girl Scouts
  • Historic notecards, posters, T-shirts, the Historical Society’s own History of Florida book and ice cream all for sale outside the S.S. Seward Institute lobby
  • 19th Century children’s games held on school grounds
  • A beard & moustache contest for men and a fake beard contest for young men

Important information about the 135th Mapes Family Reunion

Mapes Family Members: Please join us for the  on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Glenmere Lake Pavilion (Mance Pavilion), Mayor Harter Lane, Florida, NY, gathering at 10:30 a.m.

For directions and additional information, please contact Sven Selander at svenericsr@gmail.com, Tel. 203-644-2050 or Steven Mapes at mapessteven@gmail.com, Tel. 518-527-2976

Or visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MapesFamilyReunion

Season’s Greetings for 2023!

Once again, a few of our elves were out draping garlands and hanging wreaths at the Seward/Mapes Homestead in anticipation of another joyous Holiday Season. Every year Bob and Nancy Scott, along with Lenny and Louise Simpson, brighten up the Village of Florida’s North Main Street with yuletide cheer. Donna Kepplar-Delato generously made fourteen natural pine cone stars
for us to add to the garlands.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!

Left to right: Bob Scott, Nancy Scott and Lenny Simpson
— Photos by Louise Simpson

The 2022 Seward Day Parade: A Birthday Celebration to Remember!

Thanks to the efforts of The Florida Historical Society, the Village of Florida had its first ever Seward Day Parade to celebrate the legacy of its native son William Seward who was born on May 16, 1801. Village of Florida Mayor Daniel Harter, Jr., appearing as Abraham Lincoln, and Deputy Mayor Thomas Fuller portraying William H. Seward, were accompanied by The Honorable Peter D. Barlet, Town of Warwick Justice in a dedication ceremony at the Seward Memorial at the entrance of the S.S. Seward Institute. They weren’t alone in the festivities!

Among the participating organizations were: The Florida Fire Department • Florida Chamber of Commerce • Florida Lions Club • Florida American Legion • Florida Girl Scouts • The Seward/Mapes Homestead Committee.

Special thanks are deserved by Gabrielle and Kieran Conway for providing their magnificent horse Clyde and carriage to transport the time-travelers from Village Hall to the Seward Monument. We are looking forward to the parade becoming an annual tradition. Many active members of the Seward/Mapes Homestead Restoration Committee are also members of the Florida Historical Society.

Welcome to the Seward and Mapes Homestead

A National Treasure in Florida, NY

The purpose of the Seward/Mapes 
Homestead and the The Florida Historical Society is to mark and preserve historic places, acquire items with antique or historical value, to preserve them in or near original form as possible and make these items available for the benefit and education of the public. This is especially true of the Seward/Mapes Homestead which is always in a state of progress. SEE OUR BROCHURE

Celebrating the lives and accomplishments of two quintessential Americans

The Seward and Mapes Homestead presents a rare opportunity in historic preservation to focus on the lives and accomplishments of two men deeply engaged in the American Civil War on different levels – one as Secretary of State in the Lincoln Administration and the other as a Union soldier in the illustrious 124th New York State volunteer regiment that fought in many horrific battles from Manassas Gap to Appomattox.

William Henry Seward and William Mapes
Harriet Tubman and Seward

Our Mission

The mission of The Seward Homestead is to collect, preserve and exhibit historical works and items related to the early life of  William Henry Seward and William E. Mapes through restoration and preservation of this historic site. We also will conduct educational programming which will strive to cultivate and stimulate curiosity about the life of a vitally important figure of American History as well as the life of an “ordinary” Civil War soldier who was anything but ordinary, like so many men and women of his generation.

35 North Main Street • Florida, New York • 10921
Contact: Seward/Mapes Homestead c/o The Village Hall of Florida • 33 South Main Street • Florida, New York • 10921 • 845-651-7626
Email: board@sewardhomestead.org