Ossining historian’s presidential memorabilia collection spans nearly 2 centuries
Presidents Day comes once a year for most, but one Westchester historian has a constant reminder of America’s leaders in his own house.
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Feb 18, 2019, 7:08 PM
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Updated 1,985 days ago
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Presidents Day comes once a year for most, but one Westchester historian has a constant reminder of America’s leaders in his own house.
William Reynolds, of Ossining, started his collection when he was 4 years old after he recorded the first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
The collection started with tie clasps and then developed to include books, photographs, pins, bobbleheads and more.
Reynolds says he found most of the items at flea markets or online. Some were also gifted to him.
“On my walls I have inventoried 300—and that is not including my buttons, my books in my collection and my other memorabilia,” he says. “The oldest book I have in my collection is an 1840 campaign biography of William Henry Harrison.”
Reynolds says he shares his knowledge of presidents to people of all ages.
He gives tours of his home and visits schools to teach children.
