The Westchester History Meetup Group

"Hi Nate, Members of the history meetup group may be interested in a lecture in Dobbs Ferry next Friday evening to be given by noted archaeologist,Dr. Eugene Boesch, at the Mead House, 12 Elm St.(Friday, May 9, at 7:30 pm). Dr. Boesch's topic will be Native American Culture, History and Adaptations in the Hudson Valley Region: ca 10,000BC- AD1650. The lecture is sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities, and admission is free. Rich Village Historian of Dobbs Ferry "

"Donna, welcome to our group! Thanks for filling out your profile--you have a lot of interesting things to say. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings.~~Nate Levin"

"Hi WHMG! I am a 30+ year resident of Mount Vernon, NY; Collector of historical memorabilia and ephemera on early Mount Vernon and Eastchester, and community arts & culture organizer. Glad to be here!"

"Richard, thanks for the information about Lincoln. His analogy of the snake in with the children was shrewdly cast, but the history of the 1787 Convention and of the colonies suggests that slavery itself was to some of the framers almost one of the "children". I recently became more aware of the difficulties Lincoln had in satisfying some supporters who were more abolitionist than he. You may wish to read my 3/26 blog post at http://americanhistoryorsomeofit.blog... Cheers, Nate"

"Nate, just a little bit more-In theCooperUnion Address(Feb1860)Lincoln refuted southern claims that the acceptance of slavery in the Constitution showed that the framers believed the fed'l gov't had no right to prohibit slavery. In the Address Lincoln showed that a majority of the 39 signers of the Consitution, thru their votes on various slavery-related bills, believed that the fed'l gov't had every right to prohibit slavery in the territories(which was of course the main Republican position.) "

"Nate,thanks for your note.I recallLincoln was asked bef. he bcame presid't"How can youclaim tohate slavery,yet not call for immediate abolition ofthe slaves?"He answ'd"Idetest slavery asmuchas any man.ButConsider,if Icome across a snake on my path inthe woods,Iwill take my axe&kill it.But if Ifind a snake inbed with mychildren,Icannot swing my axe for Imight kill mychildren-Imust think carefully on how toget rid ofthe snake withoutharm'g my children." AlsoCooperUnion speech helps answ yr quest'n"

"Richard, thanks for your commentary on David's lecture. To continue the conversation a bit, what do you make of Stewart's point, expressed rather indirectly, that the Constitution embodied a morally repugnant though probably necessary accommodation to the institution of slavery? How did Lincoln's veneration for the framers coexist with his opposition to slavery?"

"I am a history buff, looking to meet fellow history enthusiasts. Hope to see some events closer to the city, though. Won't make too many of the outlying ones."

"Great photo, Rich! We're glad to have you as a member! You may want to check out the History Book Club that meets in Manhattan. And other members, I think you'll like Rich's website...interesting material about Washington's march from the NY area to VA to defeat the British at Yorktown."

"Dear fellow history enthusiasts! I am the village historian of Dobbs Ferry and a trustee of the Dobbs Ferry Historical Society. In the photo my wife Linda and I are standing next to a great fife and drum trio on Road to Freedom Day in Dobbs Ferry."

"I've always been interested in local history. I'm especially interested in early NYC history. I'd like to learn some more about the early days of Westchester. "

"Nate, likewise, I really enjoyed our discussion, and told anyone who would listen about it today:) My sister is already looking forward to a visit to the Tea House when she comes to visit next month! "

"I serve as Town Historian for Pelham, NY and am a member of the Board of Trustees of the Westchester County Historical Society. I have been interested in the history of lower Westchester County for many years. "

"Carol, welcome to Westchester!! It was wonderful to meet you! I felt we had such a great discussion with Irene and Jack. And wasn't the Tea House a nice place to gather? "

"Hi, I just moved to the area and am looking to meet people with the similar interests:) "

"My father was a great historian. I love history too. I would love to teach everyone about the early roots of the USA and the importance of The Battle of Pelham. If anyone would like to come to some events at St. Paul's in Mt Vernon there is alot!"