May 17, 2012Home of Reuben E. Fenton
Located at the Fenton History Center, 67 Washington Street
Reuben E. Fenton was a native of Chautauqua County and a citizen of Jamestown for the greater part of his life.
A Democrat when he was elected to Congress in 1852, he became a founder of the Republican Party, a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, and a staunch supporter of the anti-slavery movement. In 1864 he was elected Governor of New York State and served two terms, from 1865 to 1869. His work during the reconstruction period after the Civil War and his efforts in behalf of the returning soldiers won for him the title of "The Soldiers’ Friend". In 1869 he was elected United States Senator from New York and served one term.
His home in Jamestown was built in 1864. The building with its surrounding grounds of nearly four acres, known as Walnut Grove, was acquired by the City in 1919 as a Soldiers’ Memorial Park. For fifty years it was used by veterans organizations. World War II draft board, and the City Health Department. It was the final national headquarters of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Since 1967 it has housed the city’s historical museum and library maintained by the Fenton Historical Society.
HOME OF
REUBEN E. FENTON
THE SOLDIERS' FRIEND GOVERNOR 1865-1869 U.S. SENATOR 1869-1875