With Horace Greeley's bicentennial this year, local groups are trying unique ways to remember one of Chappaqua's most famous residents.

Last night, the Chappaqua Library, partnering with the New Castle Historical Society, offered kids a chance to pretend they are traveling back to the 19th century, when the newspaper publisher and one-time presidential candidate lived. Adults coordinating the program dressed in period attire - including puff white blouses and high black dresses - kids "boarded" a ship, with tables in the library auditorium serving as the "USS Greeley," and learned about the Greeley family's travels, which included boat trips to Europe. 

Kids also had a chance to play blind man's bluff outside in the library courtyard, which was also played during Greeley's time.

"It's a different way of learning," said Natasha Gross, who is interning at the historical society this summer and helped with Monday's event. Gross, entering her sophomore year at Goucher College, is also a Horace Greeley High School graduate and Millwood resident.

The idea for the kids' event was from Miriam Lang Budin, a librarian, and Susan Blumenfeld, program coordinator at the historical society.

Coinciding with summer trips, the Chappaqua Library is offering a new program called Horace Greeley Likes to Travel, Too. In it, patrons can print a likeness of the man known in his time as the Sage of Chappaqua. People are encouraged to take the image with them, where ever they go.

Chloe Kastner, Chappaqua, has already taken Horace to locations that include Crabtree's Kittle House, Roselle Park in Pleasantville and even to Indiana. She added, "and he's still traveling."

Submissions back to the library have been of the likeness appearing locally and abroad, according to Zahra "Z" Baird, who is the teen librarian. She also sent a likeness to a former library employee who is serving in the military in Afghanistan.

If you are interested in bringing Horace Greeley along for your travels, click here to download a picture.