I was born in Canandaigua, NY back just after the summer of love, though my parents are about as far as hippies as you can get. I was raised along with my four brothers and three sisters to appreciate education.

I started studying presidential history when I was about six. I could name all the presidents in order. I used to bet people a quarter that I could do it. I read everything I could get my hands on about the presidents, and of course, I wanted to become one.

Throughout the turmoil of my teen years, I lost interest in the Presidents, and forgot almost everything I knew. I went to college, became an accountant, and got ready to settle into life.

But, life has a way of throwing curveballs. One day I was at my desk, processing a stack of invoices, and I had an epiphany. I decided to return to college to get my history degree. I had always enjoyed it, now I wanted to make a career out. I was reading a lot of local histories (Western New York,) and many included Millard Fillmore, Grover Cleveland and Chester Arthur. I visited Fillmore’s grave at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, and I was hooked.

I went back to college, got my BA in History, and planned on a teaching career, but just before graduation a job in a museum came up. I applied for it, (not thinking I had a shot at it) and I got it. That was five years ago, and I’m still there.

My passion for presidential history returned just as I was returning to college. I was at Barnes and Noble and I picked up the book, The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents by William A. DeGregorio (a book I recommend for everybody) and I was back!

I decided that I was going to visit the graves of all the presidents in 1996, and haven’t really looked back. I was cruising around the Internet one day and came across Manus Hand’s Dead President’s web site, and he inspired me to take pictures.

Thanks for looking at my site, and I hope you enjoy it and learn something.

Patrick Weissend

Batavia, NY

July 29, 2003

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