By Judy Shuler
Can look-alikes span more than 150 years, doppelgängers across time? Seemingly it is so. When the Village of Westfield sponsors Weekend with the Lincolns September 9-10, guests may indeed feel they are in the presence of the 16th president.
It started, as many things do, by happenstance. In 2012, at the urging of his brother, Ron Carley of Westland, MI, attended a Halloween Party disguised as Abraham Lincoln. With the help of his barber, who cut his hair based on a picture from the five-dollar bill, a top hat, vest and bow tie, the 6’4” Carley amazed even himself with the uncanny resemblance. He began to research Abe’s life and now thinks of himself as a living historian who brings the president to life. Today he makes appearances at events across the country.
“Ron makes the persona of Abe Lincoln come to life, not only because he is tall and looks so much like him, but also because he recites Abe’s history, writings, political positions, and beliefs with convincing accuracy. You can easily feel as though you are talking to the great man himself. It’s quite amazing”, says Marilyn Hemmer, chairperson of the Lincoln event. “When asked, Ron will tell you he enjoys bringing a smile to people’s faces and helping them to respect and learn about our country’s history. We are thrilled to bring the Lincolns back to Westfield for this year’s celebration.” His wife, Tina, who shares Mary Todd’s stature, plays his wife.
One of the events will be reenactment of Abe meeting Grace Bedell on the platform of the Westfield Train Station. Scheduled at 3pm Saturday, September 10, it will give life to the scene immortalized by the bronze statues at Bedell Park on the corner of Routes 394 and 20.
Grace, who lived in Westfield, wrote to the then presidential candidate suggesting that growing a beard would enhance his chances for victory. On his way to his inauguration in February, 1861, he stopped to meet and thank her. Grace will be portrayed by Jema Matteson.
The 9th NY Cavalry Civil War re-enactors will be in downtown Moore Park and on the grounds of McClurg Museum all day Friday and Saturday, with demonstrations of camp living, weapon tactics, and period craft making. The President will likely visit the troops to raise morale of Union soldiers and debate Confederate soldiers.
Abe will meet and debate students at Westfield Academy Central School 11:30am-1pm Friday. He and Mary Todd will host the Friday Block Party 5-8pm downtown. Abe will be on hand all weekend to shake hands, answer questions and pose for photos and selfies for online posting.
On Saturday they’ll be guests of Doc Hamels on Chautauqua Sunrise at 9am, followed by a stroll through the downtown Westfield Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market and the Westfield Flea Market in Moore Park, starting at 10:30am. At 11:30am Abe and Mary Todd will be guests at Patterson Library reading room. Two exhibits on Saturday will highlight Grace Bedell: a history exhibit 10am-5pm in the Lincoln Room at McClurg Museum, and the Grace Bedell family archives exhibit noon-3pm at Lake Shore Center for the Arts.
Chautauqua County Historical Society (CCHS) Annual Gala, “An Evening with the Lincolns,” will cap the weekend 6-8pm Saturday in McClurg Museum. The Gala, a fundraiser for CCHS, features food and beverages and encounters with the Lincolns. Guests may hear an address from Abe on the steps of the museum, from the curved stairway in the entryway or might just meet him in the Lincoln Room, Hemmer says.
Donors to the two-day event include The Brick House B&B, Johnson Estate Winery, Rosie’s Workshop, The Westfield Downtown Partnership, CCHS, and the Westfield Station Art Gallery. The schedule of events can be found at tourchautauqua.com and westfieldny.com. Further information is also available by calling or texting Marilyn Hemmer at (716) 753-6043.