Step Back Into History at the Seward House

Remember William Seward? "Seward’s Folly"? I didn’t either, until I visited the Seward House in Auburn. But then again, history was never my strong subject.

Seward served as governor of New York State and also Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was quite fond of Seward, and according to our tour guide, described him as "the little man with the big nose".

The night Lincoln was shot at Ford’s theater, another man stabbed Seward. But he recovered and continued to serve as Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson. While serving under Johnson, he was criticized and ridiculed for his support of the purchase of Alaska from Russia - the purchase was called “Seward’s Folly” - among other things - by opponents.

I learned these interesting fact while touring the house, which is a National Historic Landmark. The house itself is beautiful, with a lovely carved spiral staircase. Seward loved to read, and had some 8,000 books. He also owned a bust of his friend, Abe Lincoln as well as some dried flowers from Lincoln's casket.

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