SUMMER HILL - Not everyone agrees with the epithet, “the do-nothing president,” sometimes used to characterize former President Millard Fillmore.

Fillmore, 13th U.S. president (1850-1853), received recognition for his accomplishments at the dedication ceremony of a new pavilion at his birthplace in Summer Hill Saturday.

In fact, Fillmore's efforts led to opening trade between Japan and the United States in the 19th Century after 200 years of isolation, and to the establishment of the First Transcontinental Railroad, both crucial to American expansion and influence.

The pavilion replaced a planned 25-by-40 foot building to be constructed next door to the History House, 14 West Cayuga St., Moravia, where Fillmore's keepsakes are currently displayed. A pavilion constructed at Fillmore's birth site in Summer Hill was built instead.

Nucor Steel in Auburn had offered to pay for and construct the original project's steel frame and put up siding and a roof with company volunteers, but the Cayuga-Owasco Historical Society couldn't get funding needed to finish construction and maintenance.

After some negotiations with Dick Stoyell, former president of the society, the company shifted its support to the pavilion, which was the idea of Summer Hill historian Florence Lansdowne.

Saturday's event drew more than 100 people, who sat in and around the pavilion in lawn chairs to see a color guard of 12 of the Sons of Union of the Civil War march up the hill to raise a 35-star American flag.

Soldiers then fired rifles, followed by a cannon shot and taps played by bugler Roger Kenny along with drummer and sixth-grader Henry Armstrong.

Cayuga County Historian Sheila Tucker conducted the ceremonies, surrounded by guests on a reviewing platform. Tucker enumerated the positive things Fillmore did to affect the future of the United States and spoke of the precursor of NUCOR, Austeel, which was the first Japanese-owned Steel Company in the country, making a loose connection to Fillmore's overtures to Japan.

NUCOR general manager Michael Keller said his company was the largest steel producer in America and the largest recycler.

“Most of the pavilion was produced with recycled steel,” Keller said. “Continued prosperity demands that we never forget the lessons of history. Nothing would make us feel better than to hear of many celebrations on this site.”

Cayuga County legislator Steve Cuddeback read a proclamation from the Legislature recognizing June 27 “Millard Fillmore Pavilion Dedication Day in Cayuga County.”

Fillmore's dedication to the preservation of the Union when states began talks of secession was recognized, along with his attempt to compromise with the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 to provide federal support in retrieving slaves.

Fillmore was self-taught, reading the Bible, a hymnal, and “Blackstone's Principles,” and married his teacher, Abigail Powers, almost two years older than he, after the two years of formal schooling he had with her at the academy in New Hope. They created libraries at the White House and in Buffalo, where Fillmore spent most of his life.

“His guiding principle was the Union,” Cyrus Powers said. “He was a man of great principle and was willing to suffer for his principles.”

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net