Gary Jaeger's Eagles Project

My name is Gary Jaeger. I am a Boy Scout with Troop 84. I’m currently working on my Eagle Service Project, which is motivated by my interest in Presidential history. It will consist of refurbishing the well at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace in Caldwell, NJ. It will also include designing and installing two interpretive signs. This project is very dear to me, not just because it is my Eagle Project, but because it is part of an ongoing seven year project of mine.

When I was seven, my mother took me to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace so I wouldn’t be a distraction to my other parent who was preparing for finals in graduate school. While there, I’m sure I learned about Grover Cleveland’s life and what he did when he was the president, but the thing that really stuck with me was his childhood games. The caretaker, Sharon, was very good at getting me excited about the history. A very interesting twist of fate is that she is the beneficiary who I am working with currently. A full circle. We stayed more than an hour, and I had enjoyed it so much, I said I wanted to visit all the presidents’ houses. As a result, for my last several summer vacations and some long weekends, we have traveled around the country so that I could learn more about the men who have governed our country. So far, I have visited the houses of 33 of the 45 presidents. (Biden is the 46th president, but only 45 men have held the office. Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president since he served two non-consecutive terms.)

Now I want to return to the house that sparked my passion for Presidential history to give back to the historical community for all it has given me.