Ron and Tina Carley are Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln.

WESTFIELD — Westfield will host “A Weekend With the Lincolns Festival” Sept. 9 and 10 featuring a museum gala, block party on Main Street, Civil War reenactments, and exhibits at the McClurg Museum and Lake Shore Center for the arts.

Westfield has a rich history and a unique connection to Abe Lincoln, from the founding of the Republican Party in Mayville, a rumor of secret strategy meetings with Lincoln occurring in a house in the village, and documented letters from Grace Bedell asking Lincoln to grow a beard which prompted his inaugural stop at the Westfield Train Station in 1862.

Lincoln is brought to life by Ron Carley, a preeminent reenactor and educator, who has been portraying Lincoln since 2012. He has been featured at many events, colleges, museums, and even comic icons across the country. He was almost arrested in Washington, D.C., when he drew a large crowd while visiting the Lincoln Memorial after the park closed.

“Ron makes the persona of Abe Lincoln come to life, not only because he is tall and looks so much like him, but also because he recants Abe’s history, writings, political positions, and beliefs with convincing accuracy. You can easily feel as though you are talking to the great man himself. It’s quite amazing,” said Marilyn Hemmer, chairperson of the Lincoln event. “When asked Ron will tell you he enjoys bringing a smile to people’s faces and helping them to respect and learn about our country’s history. We are thrilled to bring the Lincolns back to Westfield for this year’s celebration.”

The event begins on Friday, Sept. 9, when Lincoln visits the students at Westfield Academy and Central School. Later he will attend the downtown block party that evening from 5 to 8 p.m. He will meet those attenidng and have his picture taken during that event.

Saturday, Sept. 10, Lincoln and Mary Todd will be guests on Chautauqua Sunrise with Doc Hamels. Then, at Moore Park between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Lincoln and Todd will tour the Westfield Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, flea market, local downtown shops, ride on the horse drawn carriage and visit children at the Patterson Library’s story hour.

There will be a reenactment of Lincoln meeting Grace Bedell on the platform of the Westfield Train Station. The scene is immortalized by the bronze statues at Bedell Park on the corner of routes 394 and 20.

Lincoln will visit the troops at the Civil War reenactment in Moore Park. He will also visit the special Grace Bedell family exhibit at Lake Shore Center for the Arts.

The Lincoln re-enactors will be quests of honor at the Chautauqua County Historical Society’s annual Gala at the McClurg Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10. The Gala, appropriately entitled “An Evening with the Lincolns” features food and beverages and is a fundraiser for the historical society.

Lincoln merchandise will be on sale at Peaceful Designs Gift Shop on Main Street.

Call Hemmer for more information at 716-753-6043.

Sponsors and supporters include The Brick House B&B, Johnson Estate Winery, Rosie’s Workshop, the Westfield Downtown Partnership, Chautauqua County Historical Society, Jema Matteson, who will portray Bedell, and the Westfield Station Art Gallery.