A print of George W. Roosevelt as a diplomat about 1885. He was a third cousin of Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Note: I have talked about George Roosevelt before but with Veterans Day coming this week I thought it would be nice to tell his story again. George W. Roosevelt was one of the very few men in U. S. History to be nominated for the Medal of Honor twice. A native of Chester, after the war he served overseas as a diplomat for some 30 years. He has long been forgotten as a true Delco hero.
George Roosevelt received his Medal of Honor in the mail in Brussels, Belgium where he worked as a diplomat. He received it in the late summer of 1887. There was no big ceremony, etc. Roosevelt had waited almost 25 years for the honor.
George Washington Roosevelt was born in Chester in 1843. He was the son of Solomon Roosevelt and his wife Elizabeth Morris. His parents ran a small store on Market St. in Chester. Following the outbreak of the American Civil War, Roosevelt enlisted as a corporal in Company K of the 26th Regiment of the Penna. Infantry on May 1, 1861. Roosevelt was just 17 years old. He was promoted to sergeant on September 1, 1862.
His Citation for the Medal of Honor is quite brief, see below
For extraordinary heroism while serving with Company K, 26th Pennsylvania Infantry. At Bull Run, Virginia, on 30 August 1862, First Sergeant Roosevelt recaptured the colors, which had been seized by the enemy. At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on 2 July 1863, he captured a Confederate Color Bearer and color, during this heroic effort he was severely wounded.
Note: wounded was an understatement, Roosevelt lost his leg at Gettysburg.
He was honorably discharged from the Army at Philadelphia on March 14, 1864. In recognition of his war service, Roosevelt received a brevet promotion to captain. Although he was one of the few men in American history to be nominated twice for the Medal of Honor, Roosevelt rarely mentioned he had been nominated twice. When contacted by an author writing a book on Medal of Honor winners, Roosevelt only mentioned the Battle of Bull Run as his only nomination, See below
75 Boulevard de Waterloo Brussels, Belgium January 9, 1894
My dear Sir and Comrade:
I have pleasure in acknowledging receipt of your favor of December 23, 1893, and in filling out the blank
as requested. I may mention that at the time of action (Bull Run)j which won for me my medal. I was only 19 years of age, having enlisted at the early age of seventeen. I inclose herewith a photograph taken two years ago. Please tell me the cost of your book when it is finished.
Very sincerely yours,
Geo. W. Roosevelt
U.S. Consul"
The author was stunned when he found out the truth, that Roosevelt had been nominated twice and had lost a leg at Gettysburg.
Following the war, Roosevelt had a 30-year career as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of
State. He began serving in 1877 and never returned to the U.S. His final posting was as the U.S. Consul General in Brussels in 1906.
DCHPN Monthly E-Newsletter |
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November is Native American Heritage Month, Aviation History Month, Family Stories Month, and Historic Bridge Awareness Month Veterans Day is November 11- Thank you to all our veterans! Happy Thanksgiving! Check out all these events happening this month Historic Sites are still open Read the announcements below for important information. |
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November Events *Art 504 Creative Collective Gallery Reception Nov 06, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Darlington Arts Center, 997 Shavertown Rd, Garnet Valley, PA 19060
Come and celebrate the works of the Art 504 Creative Collective! Formerly known as Art on the Avenue of the States, Art 504 displays works from all different mediums in a variety of local venues. RSVP req'd. See work by Helen Litwa of Chester Historic Preservation Committee (example to left). Also stay for a bluegrass concert at 8 for $10/20-
https://www.darlingtonarts.org/events/concerts/ | | |
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*History of Ridley Township- Part 1: The Boroughs That Made Ridley Twp Nov 08, 6:00 PM
Ridley Twp Public Library, 100 E Macdade Blvd, Folsom, PA 19033
Come to learn from local historian Keith Lockhart about the areas that were originally part of Ridley Township- Glenolden, Ridley Park, Norwood, and Folsom. Registration required. Limited seating.
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*James Stirling, An Architect Who Challenged and Embraced What Came Before Nov 09, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Zoom- registration required
A British architect born in Scotland, Jim grew up in Liverpool. He was a Pritzker Laureate, the ‘Nobel Prize’ of architecture. This talk covers Jim’s life and professional work, in two parts: First, 1923 to 1981 and Second: 1982 until his death. Part Two is scheduled for January 11, 2022.
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*Replacement Windows for Historic Buildings: Managing Compromise When Perfection Is Out of Reach Nov 09, 2:00 PM
Zoom- registration required
Saving and repairing an historic window is the obvious starting point to preserving the character and integrity of an historic building, but it may not always be reasonable, and increasingly often the historic windows are long gone. Part of a series to complement the Past Forward conference.
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*Media Veterans Day Celebration Nov 11, 11:11 AM
State Street to Courthouse, Media, PA 19063
Veterans Legacy is excited to announce that the Veterans Day Parade is scheduled to take place again in 2021 with the theme of Afghanistan Veterans. Although celebrations looked a little different in 2020, we are ecstatic to resume our normal Veterans Day celebration and parade.
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*Aston Veterans Day Celebration Nov 11, 6:00 PM
Aston Community Center, 3270 Concord Rd, Aston, PA 19014
Join us for a night of memories and history. See the new displays on World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The presentation will focus on Veterans from Aston and Aston families. The special collection, “Women’s Work, the Last 100 Years” is on display in the front room.
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Paper Casting into the Holidays Nov 13, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Historic Rittenhousetown Barn, 208 Lincoln Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Paper is an amazingly versatile medium, and in this class we will visit how it can be used to create 3D forms and relief sculptures like ornaments. We will also be exploring new pigments and decorative techniques. $15
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Nature and Music Nov 13, 1:00 PM
Raymond Farm Center, 6370 Pidcock Creek Rd, New Hope, PA 18938
The last event of the season, join us at the Raymond Farm House for an afternoon of music with Angelina Wong. The recital will include works by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, and Beethoven, among others. An opportunity to tour the Raymond Farmhouse will also be available following the recital. $20
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*Its Very Life: The Spiritual Quality of Wright's Organic Architecture Nov 14, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Beth Sholom Synagogue, 8231 Old York Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027
An afternoon with Stuart Graff, President and CEO, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
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*Thomas U. Walter and the Villas of Girard Avenue Nov 14, 2:00 PM
Zoom- link goes to meeting
Dr. Paula Spilner will discuss the long-forgotten origins of a near North Philadelphia neighborhood known in the 19th century as Green Hill, bisected by Girard Avenue west of Broad. No registration req'd- link goes right to zoom meeting
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