1907
The William McKinley Monument, burial
site of the President, First Lady Ida and their two daughters, was
dedicated in Canton, Ohio on September 30, 1907. Pictured here is the
dedication ceremony that was attended by Theodore Roosevelt, who is
standing on the left in the front row. My grandmother, Esther Zerbe
Walther was 10 years old when she attended the ceremony that day.
Prior to McKinley's election, she had been a next door neighbor to
them on Canton's Lincoln Street which today is called Fulton Road.
When I was a girl, she told me the
story of collecting pennies at school to help finance the building of
this structure and how proud the town was to have it. I'm sharing
this remembrance with you in celebration of all our family stories
and as a reminder to share them with your young even if you have to
pull out that old “chocolate cake incentive” to capture their
attention. After I post this little piece, I will share the story
with my 12 year old and send it into the next century as he shares it
once again in a future distant. Its lovely to know that Esther and I
and he will all share this memory, despite the gulf of time and
place, together and with forthcoming generations.
Photo of the Monument today taken by my son on July 4th, 2012.
(special thanks to Don and Bud)
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