Commems Collection Classic: 1916-17 William Mc Kinley Birthplace Memorial Association

Discussions of a lasting memorial to President McKinley began shortly after his 1901 assassination at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. Friends and colleagues of McKinley got together almost immediately and began to explore potential memorials that would honor the beloved, fallen leader.

The McKinley National Memorial Association was formed in 1901 and led the effort to build a McKinley memorial in Canton, Ohio - McKinley's "home town" for much of his adult life. The Memorial serves as the final resting place for William, his wife Ida and their two daughters, Katherine and Ida, who died in childhood.

McKinley National Memorial, with Reflecting Pool (Replaced with Grass in 1951)

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Theodor Horydczak Collection. Public Domain.)

The National Memorial is likely the most recognized memorial to McKinley. While it has been the subject of multiple privately-struck commemorative medals over the years, it does not have a connection to the US commemorative coin program. Such a connection is reserved for the McKinley Birthplace Memorial in Niles, Ohio and its Gold Dollar.



In 1910, a bill was introduced by William Aubrey Thomas (R-OH) that called for the incorporation of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Association (different from the Association referenced above). Per the bill, the purpose of the Association was specified to be "to perpetuate the name and achievements of William McKinley, late President of the United States of America, by erecting and maintaining in the city of Niles, in the State of Ohio, the place of his birth, a monument and memorial building."

The Birthplace Memorial Association initiated multiple fundraising efforts long before the gold $1.00 commemorative coin of which collectors are familiar was proposed in Congress. One such initiative was the publication and distribution of a book about the Memorial in an effort to solicit private funds. The book was unabashed in expressing its admiration and affection for McKinley:

"The McKinley Birthplace Memorial at Niles, Ohio, will mark the birthplace of a statesman who holds a peculiarly intimate place in the hearts of his fellow countrymen; a place won by his singularly winning personality, his sterling integrity, his purity of motive, his unblemished life, and more than all, by his unflagging and whole-hearted devotion to his invalid wife. In all the range of American History, the memory of few statesmen who attained the Presidency and who exerted such a powerful influence upon the after history of their country is held in the same reverence as is that of William McKinley in the entire Mahoning Valley [Ohio] today."

William McKinley Birthplace Memorial - Front View



The Birthplace Memorial was dedicated on October 5, 1917. By the time the McKinley Gold Dollar was approved and struck, the "heavy lifting" on the Memorial was essentially completed, but proceeds from sales of the Gold Dollar supported its completion and ongoing maintenance. The Association benefited from sales of the gold coin, but did not rely on it for constructing the Memorial - a sound business model.


For more on the McKinley Birthplace Memorial Gold Dollar, check out:

- 1916-17 McKinley Birthplace Memorial
- Design Discussions - William Mc Kinley Gold


For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.