LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Soci-
ety of Moravia upon the occasion of hosting the commemoration of the
50th Anniversary of the replica President Millard Fillmore birthplace
cabin

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the people and communi-
ties which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society of Moravia upon the occasion of
hosting the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the replica Presi-
dent Millard Fillmore birthplace cabin, located at the Fillmore Glen
State Park; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Fillmore Glen State Park will be celebrating
its 90th Anniversary this year under state ownership; this scenic State
park is a vital element of the tourist component of our local economy;
and
WHEREAS, The Fillmore cabin, which was built and furnished by communi-
ty volunteers using donated materials, is a popular attraction that
helps visitors understand the early life of the only United States Pres-
ident born in Central New York; and
WHEREAS, Robert J. Scarry, a native of Waterford, New York, saw an
opportunity to delve deeper into the life of President Millard Fillmore
when he and his young family first came to visit the Fillmore birthplace
site in 1956, only to find a rusting New York State marker in a corn-
field; and
WHEREAS, The idea of a replica of Fillmore's birthplace cabin goes
back to at least 1930, about the time Marcus D. French located the
original site in Summerhill for members of the Cayuga County Historical
Society; although the land had been deeded to the historical society in
1922, no development took place there other than the State Education
Department marker placed in 1932; and
WHEREAS, In the spring of 1960, Robert J. Scarry met with the Director
of the Cayuga County Museum to discuss the idea of building a cabin on
the birthplace site, and the idea took off; the project was given back-
ing by the Chamber of Commerce and a Fillmore Memorial Committee was
formed; and
WHEREAS, During 1962 and 1963, the floor plan was developed and
approval was granted by the State Park to locate the cabin there; in
response to an appeal for logs, John H. Rouse offered to donate a log
cabin located in the town of Moravia on Town Line Road; and
WHEREAS, The well-preserved cabin, which dated back to the early
1800s, had been covered with planking and used as a storage shed on the
Rouse Farm; the cabin was carefully deconstructed during the remainder
of 1963 and a foundation was put in place at the Fillmore Glen State
Park in November; and
WHEREAS, The central stone fireplace and main structure of the cabin
were built during 1964 with work concluding for the year in late Novem-
ber; during the following spring the shake roof was completed, flooring,
windows and hardware installed and antique furnishings began to be
collected; and
WHEREAS, The entire project was done by volunteers with donated mate-
rials; many local residents, teachers and students worked on weekends
and holidays to help complete the cabin; and
WHEREAS, The cabin dedication took place on Sunday, May 23, 1965,
during which time businesses and houses throughout the village were all

decorated with flags and bunting; in addition, a brunch for 250 people
was served in the high school cafeteria, followed by the main event at
the Fillmore Glen State Park; and
WHEREAS, This historical cabin was only the beginning of many efforts
to commemorate former President Millard Fillmore over the course of many
years; the Millard Fillmore Memorial Association officially disbanded on
December 31, 1965, and a new organization, the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes
Historical Society, was formed; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction and guidance of Robert J. Scarry
and many others, the birthplace site was developed and continues to
thrive today; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for the replica President Millard Fill-
more birthplace cabin, and for all the individuals who worked to bring
proper attention to a place and time which merits recognition in the
grand panorama of the history of our State and Nation; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society of Moravia upon the
occasion of hosting the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the
replica President Millard Fillmore birthplace cabin; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society of Moravia.