Bronx Historical Society honors Gouverneur Morris at Andrew Freedman House

The Bronx Historical Society hosted a free event at the Andrew Freedman House on River Avenue to mark the birthday and legacy of Gouverneur Morris, the founding-era statesman credited with drafting the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, organizers and the local reporter said.

Organizers offered presentations, panel discussion and an exhibit of documents and family artifacts meant to highlight Morris’s ties to the Bronx and his contributions to the Constitution. "We the People," one presenter opened, framing the program around the preamble’s language and its meaning for representative government.

Speakers at the program described Morris as a prominent, though often overlooked, founding father from the Bronx and credited him with drafting the Constitution’s preamble and significant portions of the document. At the event a presenter said Morris "fought adamantly against slavery at the constitutional convention," a characterization offered as part of the program’s historical narrative.

The event included opportunities for visitors to view historical documents and artifacts related to Morris and his family and hear talks that placed his work alongside more widely known founders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Attendees and organizers praised the setup as providing a comprehensive view of Morris’s life and the Bronx’s Revolutionary-era history.

Speakers referenced the nation’s milestone anniversary during remarks; presenters used different anniversary figures at points in the program. The Bronx Historical Society described the program as part of broader local observances, and the event was free and open to the public, the society said.

On-site reporting for the segment was credited to Chris Cumella of BronxNet Community Television.