Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Valley Stream Historical Society hosted “George is Back!” at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The program, held on Feb. 15, honored George Washington, and society members dressed in period costume, with a piece of Washington memorabilia on display.
The item, a plate gifted to the Society in August 1997 by Rose Hochberg, allegedly has a connection to Washington. Accompanying information about the plate was provided by society member Carol McKenna. The written provenance states that the plate “belonged to George Washington and was at Mt. Vernon,” and was passed down through members of the Custis and Lewis families before being given to a teacher identified as E. Stetson, C.S.D., with a notation dated Feb. 22, 1922. Some of the names in the chain of ownership are incomplete.
Society member Valerie Esposito wrote to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in 2007, including a photograph of the plate. Mount Vernon responded that the plate was not part of any popular china dinnerware known to have belonged to Washington at the mansion.
The event was first held in February 2000 under the name “George is Back!” Around February 2016, Abraham Lincoln was added, and the program became known as “George and Abe are Back.” In light of 2026 marking the 250th anniversary of the United States’ birth, the village historian requested that this year’s event be limited to Washington.
Washington served as a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and later became the nation’s first president. During the war, the British occupied Long Island for seven years.
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in February. Originally established to honor Washington’s birthday, which falls on Feb. 22, the holiday now recognizes all individuals who have served as president of the United States.
