Westfield in Chautauqua County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park

Established July 10, 1999

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013

1. The Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park Marker

Inscription. The meeting of President-Elect Abraham Lincoln and his famous correspondent, twelve-year-old Grace Bedell took place on February 16, 1861, in Westfield at the train station. Prior to this, Grace had penned a letter to Lincoln suggesting that whiskers would improve his appearance. At their meeting, Lincoln shook her hand, kissed Grace, and asked her how she liked the improvements she had advised.

The statues are the work of sculptor Don Sottile, a native of Westfield. The bronze casting took place at the Fireworks Foundry, Penn Yann, upstate New York.

Westfield is most grateful to town historian Billie Dibble for the inspiration and Dr. Kent L. Brown for guiding the project through to completion.

Erected 1999.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stops series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1868.

Location. 42° 19.321′ N, 79° 34.704′ W. Marker is in Westfield, New York, in Chautauqua County. It is at the intersection of

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East Main Street (U.S. 20) and South Portage Road (U.S. 20), on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Westfield NY 14787, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Southern Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Memoriam (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Vincent M. Powers (within shouting distance of this marker); McClurg Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Presbyterian Church and Society (about 500 feet away);

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013

2. The Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park Marker

The Mack House (approx. ¼ mile away); Harriet Campbell-Taylor House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Early Settlers of Portland, Westfield & Ripley (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westfield.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. The Advice of a Little Girl. Library of Congress website entry (Submitted on May 24, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. Abraham Lincoln meets Grace Bedell. Abraham Lincoln Online website entry (Submitted on May 24, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

3. Grace Bedell Billings. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on April 23, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

The Lincoln-Bedell Statues image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013

3. The Lincoln-Bedell Statues

Lincoln in Westfield sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013

4. Lincoln in Westfield sign

Westfield Civil War Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013

5. Westfield Civil War Monument

Located behind the statue of Abraham Lincoln

In honor of the Chautauqua County Regiments that fought in the American Civil War
1861-1865
9th NY Volunteer Cavalry
49th NY Volunteer Infantry
72nd NY Volunteer Infantry
112th NY Volunteer Infantry
154th NY Volunteer Infantry
1st US Sharpshooters

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013

6. Westfield Civil War Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,898 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 22, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.