Historical Marker Rededicated to TR’s 1903 Speech & Visit

Huntington UFSD recently participated in the rededication of a Theodore Roosevelt historic marker near the corner of Gerard Street and New York Avenue. The marker was temporarily removed to allow for the demolition of a building and installation of a parking lot. Eight years earlier, two Huntington High School students played a key role in its creation and installation in September 2018.

There are few people in the town today who know about the speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt on July 4, 1903, in what was then an open field just north of the present day intersection of New York Avenue and Gerard Street in Huntington village. TR was on hand as the guest speaker at the 250th anniversary celebration of the town’s founding.

Forward to September 2018 and two Huntington seniors at the time, Kaitlyn Sage and Luke Farrell spent a year researching the event and documenting the visit. The two teenagers spoke at the original unveiling of a historical marker at the site of the presidential speech during a ceremony attended by a crowd of 100, including town and school district officials.

Huntington UFSD Chairman of Humanities, 7-12 Joseph Leavy recruited Ms. Sage and Mr. Farrell to work on the project and develop the research and he helped guide them through the process.

“The Teddy Roosevelt project has been underway for about a year now,” said Ms. Sage at the time. “Mr. Leavy, Luke Farrell and I researched and organized this project in order to commemorate an important historical event that not only happened in our town but was never properly commemorated. Through many hours of research and trips to the Huntington Historical Society, we have also been able to uncover details about founding members of the Huntington Historical Society who came together to invite Mr. Roosevelt and prepare the town for the 250th anniversary celebration. Through their work, a parade, gala and presidential speech was arranged, not to mention their dedication to securing artifacts, pictures and details of the town’s history to showcase at the event.”

The recent rededication was a happy event for the Huntington High School contingent, including the students who have moved on with their lives and obtained college degrees.

“I want to extend a thank you to Town Historian Robert Hughes, Town Clerk Andrew Raia, and Stephanie Gotard for their dedication to keeping Huntington’s history alive,” Supervisor Ed Smith said. “We also owe thanks to the Huntington High School Social Studies Department, Superintendent Beth McCoy and Principal Ms. Rochelle Brown for their support and commitment to connecting our students with local history. A special shoutout goes to everyone who made the unveiling ceremony so memorable, including the phenomenal students who presented the Color Guard, our wonderful Emcee Kaitlyn Sage, and the talented Huntington High School trumpeters for a stellar performance.”

The Library of Congress’ collection includes a nearly three minute silent film clip of Mr. Roosevelt on stage in Huntington and his departure by the same horse drawn carriage that ferried him to the site. To view the film, visit this link: https://www.loc.gov/item/99407348