Renowned Brooklyn pastor Henry Ward Beecher’s former home in Peekskill, dating back to the mid-1800s, still holds signs of his scandalous yet successful life. The 1877 mansion, now divided into 14 private condominiums, stands tall on Beecher Drive. Beecher, known for his preaching on the “Gospel of Love,” became a celebrity during the 1850s and ’60s, with President Abraham Lincoln admiring his progressive mindset. Despite facing accusations of extramarital affairs, Beecher was eventually deemed “not guilty” by a court trial. After his death in 1887, Beecher’s Peekskill farm, which he purchased in 1859, became his sanctuary, where he built a cozy mansion with modern amenities for the time. The locals of Peekskill were forgiving of his flaws, and even after the trials, they congratulated him with a parade to his farm. Chloe Beach, an ardent admirer of Beecher’s, also lived nearby and may have had a romantic involvement with him. Today, Beach Shopping Center stands across from Beecher’s former mansion, named after Chloe Beach’s family. While there may not be a public museum or marker commemorating Beecher’s presence in Peekskill, the historical significance of his life and times is still evident in the town’s landscape.
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