MORAVIA - Milliard Fillmore earned his place in history as the 13th president of the United States and leading the country during a difficult period of history prior to the Civil War.

On the larger scale, Fillmore may best be remembered for having signed the Compromise of 1850, but in Moravia, Fillmore is remembered for much more.

Perhaps the village's most famous son, Fillmore was born in Locke (now Summer Hill where the sign marking the place of his birth stands today), on Jan. 7, 1800.

On Sunday afternoon, the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society, located in the heart of the village, opened its doors for a full blown birthday

celebration to mark Fillmore's 208th birthday.

From Fillmore Glen to the replica log cabin, Fillmore is well remembered in Moravia and within the historical society.

For some 40 years, the historical society has been celebrating the president's birthday, but generally in a fairly quiet way, but this year it was decided that it was time to give the day a little more fanfare.

“We've been doing this a longtime,” said Mary Donovan, president of the historical society. “We've been doing this since the society started in the 60s. Usually we have a bring a covered dish dinner, but this year we decided that we should have an open house and make this open to the public and get more people involved.”

From the balloons to the vivid happy birthday signs, the historical society house looked every bit the part of a place ready for a birthday celebration.

And of course there was a cake. In the small kitchen of the historical society, members and guests gathered and sang happy birthday before cutting the cake.

Within the house are numerous items that belonged to Fillmore and his family. From a marble table that stood in the White House to the family Bible to a silk shawl given to Fillmore's wife Abigail (also a Moravia native), by the emperor of China.

All of these items were proudly on display. Guests were also offered the chance to take a quiz based on facts about Fillmore and to leaf through literature on Fillmore, much of which was written by Robert J. Scarry, a former Moravia history teacher, who wrote a great deal on Fillmore and his life, perhaps most notably “Milliard Fillmore,” a comprehensive biography.

Many of those in attendance were themselves natives of Moravia, who were proud of the history of their hometown.

“I grew up here,” said Toni Reynolds, of Cortland. “Robert Scarry was actually my history teacher. We grew up going to Fillmore Glen and everything. I think it is great they are doing something like this.”

Others, such as Auburn resident Eric Distin, also grew up in the village and used the day as a chance to bring their families to the celebration.

“My mother, Jessie, is involved in the historical society,” Distin said. “I thought it would be a nice sort of homecoming and to bring the kids to see all of this.”

Distin's daughter, Alisha, 10, certainly was enjoying herself.

“This is my first time here,” Alisha said. “It is a lot of fun.”

Donovan said that this year's celebration was twofold. Along with just getting more people involved, it was also designed to raise awareness.

“We are planning to add an addition in the future,” Donovan said. “And we want to focus on the things we have from Fillmore. So we want to share all of this with people and let them see what we have and we have to offer.”