Seward House mixes its history with performing arts and healthy living

Stephen D. Cannerelli/The Post-StandardAndrew Roblee last week waters the new Community Garden at the historic Seward House in Auburn.

By Dorothy Long
Contributing writer

Something new is happening at the Seward House Museum.

Since the museum was founded in 1951, it has stood as a symbol of Auburn?s proud past.

The museum was home to William H. Seward (1801-1872) and his family. Seward served as governor, senator and secretary of state to presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. The estate is steeped in history.

But these days, Auburn appears to be moving full speed ahead toward a bright, exciting future and the museum has become a vital part of what is happening now in the city.

This summer, while the weather encourages everyone to get out and join the party downtown, the Seward House is part of the action.

The Seward House has played an active role in the Downtown Business Improvement District?s First Friday program since the beginning.

On the evening of the first Friday of every month, downtown businesses and cultural sites hold an open house.

The Seward House has featured a different local artist and musical guest every month.

?In the summer we have the added benefit that we can utilize the gardens and grounds,? Executive Director Billye Chabot said. ?It?s even more special in the summer.?

Local artists that have shown their work this summer include Todd Bachta, Marisol Landers and Phil Dello Stritto.

Kevin Dorsey provided music in May and in July, Michael Fedorchuk was in the garden doing John Lennon covers.

?So we had John Lennon in the garden,? Chabot said.

In August, though, they are doing something a little different for a First Friday event.

The Ithaca Shakespeare Company will bring Shakespeare?s ?The Taming of the Shrew? to the Seward House garden at 6 p.m. Aug. 3.

People are invited to bring their own snacks, drinks, even a picnic supper along with lawn chairs or blankets to lounge on. It?s all free and the museum will provide cookies, punch and children?s entertainment starting at 5 p.m. ?The Sewards were avid theater fans and particularly loved Shakespeare,? Chabot said.

And Shakespeare in the Sewards? garden ties in to this year?s kick-off of Auburn?s summer Musical Theatre Festival, Chabot said.

?We picked ?Taming of the Shrew? because the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse?s first show (this season) was ?Kiss Me Kate,? so it was a nice to tie in with the Musical Theatre Festival,? she said.

Shakespeare isn?t the only thing going on in the garden this year.

When Michelle Obama asked museums to get involved in her program to get children moving, the Seward House jumped on board.

?Once a quarter, we offer a program to get kids involved in healthy activity,? Chabot said. ?We try to be creative and tie it into history.?

This past Saturday, a historical scavenger hunt had children in the garden learning about the food people ate in the 19th century.

This summer, there will be an added Let?s Move Day when the Seward House joins in a citywide push-up contest for young adults for the annual Founder?s Day celebration.

Those who haven?t taken a close look at the Seward House garden this summer might be in for a surprise.

In June, community members planted a kitchen garden ? growing produce like the Sewards would have eaten when they lived there.

The garden was planted and is tended by volunteers. They and other community members will be invited to eat the harvests. Signs will announce what is available as the season progresses.

On the first Friday of September, the band Cast of Thousands will perform, Chabot said. This is a return performance. ?Last time they were here we probably had 200 people in the garden,? she said.

With all this activity, the fall might be a good time to curl up with a good book. Walter Stahr, author of ?Seward, Lincoln?s Indispensable Man,? will lecture at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Auburn Public Theater. There will be a members-only reception at the museum before the lecture. The lecture is free to museum members and $5 to the general public.

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who wrote ?Team of Rivals?? exploring the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and members of his cabinet, including William Seward ? will speak at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, in Auburn High School auditorium . Tickets are $50 general admission. A $75 VIP ticket will admit the holder to a special book signing at the Springside Inn.

And, Chabot said, there is a haunted history tour planned for October and the annual candlelight tours of the museum will be in December.

To learn more:
Visit sewardhouse.org for more information on the Seward House Museum and its upcoming events.

Article source: http://blog.syracuse.com/neighbors/2012/07/seward_house_mixes_its_history_with_performing_arts_and_healthy_living.html

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