One of Auburn's most famous native sons will likely be featured in a major motion picture. Local leaders are trying to make sure the community benefits from the connection.
Officials from the city, county, Seward House and other organizations have already met multiple times to discuss the possibilities that may come from a future movie about Abraham Lincoln.
The production, set to be directed by Steven Spielberg and star Liam Neeson and Sally Field, is reportedly based on the popular book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” In the book, author Doris Kearns Goodwin examines the president through members of his cabinet, including Secretary of State William Seward.
Seward House Director Peter Wisbey said he expects the movie to generate national interest in Seward. More than a dozen community members met Monday at the museum to brainstorm ideas for how this interest can bring visitors and business to the area.
Though these efforts are in their earliest planning stages, Wisbey said ideas have ranged from coordinated educational efforts to campaigning for the production to film portions of the movie in Auburn.
“We were talking about how we as a community can capitalize on the popularity of the film if it comes out,” Wisbey said. “We want to really position Auburn and the Seward House as a destination for filmgoers interested in learning more.”
There is good reason to believe that a major movie would have an impact, Wisbey continued. He said the release of the “Team of Rivals” book gave the museum a bump in visitors that has yet to go down.
And a Seward House trustee witnessed a similar phenomenon in another community.
Dan Fessenden visited a John Quincy Adams historic site in Quincy, Mass. not long after HBO ran a miniseries about John Adams. The place was “very crowded,” Fessenden said.
After talking with park officials in Quincy, Fessenden said he learned the location had seen its foot traffic double since the series ran on television.
“One of the things we started to realize is we probably can learn from Quincy,” he said. “How can Auburn be more prepared?”
An increase in visitors can affect local business beyond the Seward House, Cayuga County Tourism Director Meg Vanek said. Visitors could also visit sites such as the Tubman Home, Fillmore Glen State Park or Fort Hill Cemetery while spending money at local restaurants and other establishments, she said.
“We are looking at this very commercially,” Vanek said. “How can our tourism attractions kind of spin off of this?”
The city of Auburn is also on board and City Manager Mark Palesh said city officials are even looking into organizing other Seward-related events. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood, and city council has discussed throwing a celebration, Palesh said.
“We're looking at all the possibilities to put as much emphasis on Auburn as we can,” Palesh said. “We have some great history here, probably more than most communities in New York.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
The production, set to be directed by Steven Spielberg and star Liam Neeson and Sally Field, is reportedly based on the popular book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.” In the book, author Doris Kearns Goodwin examines the president through members of his cabinet, including Secretary of State William Seward.
Seward House Director Peter Wisbey said he expects the movie to generate national interest in Seward. More than a dozen community members met Monday at the museum to brainstorm ideas for how this interest can bring visitors and business to the area.
Though these efforts are in their earliest planning stages, Wisbey said ideas have ranged from coordinated educational efforts to campaigning for the production to film portions of the movie in Auburn.
“We were talking about how we as a community can capitalize on the popularity of the film if it comes out,” Wisbey said. “We want to really position Auburn and the Seward House as a destination for filmgoers interested in learning more.”
There is good reason to believe that a major movie would have an impact, Wisbey continued. He said the release of the “Team of Rivals” book gave the museum a bump in visitors that has yet to go down.
And a Seward House trustee witnessed a similar phenomenon in another community.
Dan Fessenden visited a John Quincy Adams historic site in Quincy, Mass. not long after HBO ran a miniseries about John Adams. The place was “very crowded,” Fessenden said.
After talking with park officials in Quincy, Fessenden said he learned the location had seen its foot traffic double since the series ran on television.
“One of the things we started to realize is we probably can learn from Quincy,” he said. “How can Auburn be more prepared?”
An increase in visitors can affect local business beyond the Seward House, Cayuga County Tourism Director Meg Vanek said. Visitors could also visit sites such as the Tubman Home, Fillmore Glen State Park or Fort Hill Cemetery while spending money at local restaurants and other establishments, she said.
“We are looking at this very commercially,” Vanek said. “How can our tourism attractions kind of spin off of this?”
The city of Auburn is also on board and City Manager Mark Palesh said city officials are even looking into organizing other Seward-related events. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood, and city council has discussed throwing a celebration, Palesh said.
“We're looking at all the possibilities to put as much emphasis on Auburn as we can,” Palesh said. “We have some great history here, probably more than most communities in New York.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
