Hail to a Fallen Chief
WHAT: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society to commemorate President Mckinley’s death
WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2 PM
WHERE: Resource Center, 459 Forest Avenue, Buffalo (across from Richardson complex)
The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society will present “Hail to a Fallen Chief,” a commemoration of the death of President William McKinley, on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2:00 p.m. in its Resource Center, located at 459 Forest Avenue, across from the Richardson Complex.
The Historical Society’s collections manager, Melissa Wertman Brown, will speak about the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, a grand event that began as Buffalo’s greatest triumph and ended stained with the tragedy of a presidential assassination. To set the tone of this momentous time, the Hutchinson Family Revival singers will perform late 19th century popular and mourning songs in period attire.
Brown will lead visitors through the Resource Center’s Pan-American exhibit, explaining the circumstances that brought the massive event to Buffalo, the construction of its elaborate grounds and ornate buildings, the attractions of the midway, and the teardown and aftermath of the exposition structures.
However, the greatest attention of the afternoon will be given to the story of McKinley’s untimely demise. On Sept. 6, 1901, a young anarchist named Leon Czolgosz, carrying a pistol concealed in a handkerchief, fired two bullets at the president. Over the next eight days, Buffalo and the nation watched anxiously as McKinley’s health wavered until his death on Sept. 14, 1901.
Visitors will see the weapon Czolgosz used, learn about his lofty motives, discover the circumstances that affected the sophistication of medical attention McKinley received, and see the impact of the assassination on the exposition, Buffalo and the nation.
Admission is $8 for the general public and $6 for members of the Historical Society and may be purchased at the door. For more information, the public may call 873-9644 ext. 301.
