POST 137
- Program
- Subject
- Location
- Lat/Long
- Grant Recipient
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NYS Historic
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House, People
- 206 N Main St, Gloversville, NY 12078, USA
- 43.056082874694, -74.341865978972
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American Legion Post 137
POST 137
Inscription
POST 137AMERICAN LEGION POST
HONORING WWI PVT. HAROLD
WILMOT EST. 1919. LEGION HOUSE
BUILT CA. 1930. US CONGRESSMAN
LUCIUS N. LITTAUER, DONOR.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2022
Established on July 19th, 1919 in Gloversville, New York, Post 137 of the American Legion was named in honor of Private Harold Wilmot, an American Marine who lost his life while serving in France during World War 1. The marker commemorates Post 137, which has been in continuous operation since 1919; the service and sacrifice of Harold Wilmot during the First World War; and the legacy of the Legion House donor, US Congressman Lucius Nathan Littauer: a politician, businessman, football coach, and philanthropist born in Gloversville. The marker can be viewed at the location of the Post 137 Legion House constructed in 1930 with funds provided by Congressman Littauer.
Believed to be the oldest operating American Legion Post in Fulton County, its namesake, Private Wilmot who served as a Marine, is also believed to be the first casualty of the War from Fulton County. Shortly after the American Legion was established in Paris, France in March of 1919, the Gloversville Post was chartered in honor of his legacy.
In 1929 Congressman Littauer, by this time retired from politics, donated funds to support the construction of a Legion House for Post 137. Throughout his life Littauer would support a number of organizations both locally and nationally, including the Nathan Littauer Hospital and the Jewish Community Center in Gloversville, and the Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration, which would eventually become the John F. Kennedy School of Government. According to the Legion’s Historian at the time, celebrations were held in 1929 and 1930 when the plot for the house was selected and the cornerstone place, respectively. At these gatherings Congressman Littauer was celebrated for his financial support of the new building.
As of 2022, American Legion Post 137 remained in operation with headquarters still stationed in the Legion House.
