A statue, erected in 1999 in Westfield, NY in what is now known as the Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park. This interesting park showcases unique, bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the girl who suggested that he grow a beard for his presidential campaign.
Grace Bedell, a young girl from Westfield wrote a letter to Mr. Abraham Lincoln, Presidential Candidate, in 1860, encouraging him to "grow whiskers and her brothers would vote for him and he would look nicer."
Lincoln wrote back just four days letter and when his inaugural train stopped in Westfield, New York in February of 1861 he was able to show Grace his whiskers in person.
You can learn more about the Lincoln-Bedell Letters and all of Chautauqua County’s rich history at the McClurg Museum, home of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, located within walking distance of Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park.
Westfield, NY 14787