Alaska Governor and one time Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin visited Auburn last weekend to celebrate former U.S. Secretary of State William Henry Seward.

Seward helped negotiate the purchase of Alaska from Russia for 8 cents per square mile in 1867 and his legacy is part of Alaska’s current celebration of 50 years as a U.S. state.

Palin’s visit was a fundraiser for Seward House, the former secretary of state’s home. She spoke at Seward House Saturday afternoon and though her comments were supposed to be apolitical, an insider told us she got very political at points, discussing the decision not to allow Alaska to accept federal stimulus funds and her view that oil drilling should be allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

According to Syracuse.com, NY Senator Chuck Schumer wrote  a letter to Steven Spielberg asking him to consider filming his next movie about Abraham Lincoln in Auburn. The movie will include scenes surrounding the life Lincoln’s secretary of state and one-time political rival, William H. Seward, who lived in Auburn. Seward’s family home, now the Seward House, an historic landmark.

“This would be a win-win for Central New York and Mr. Spielberg - delivering an economic boost to the region, while providing a historically accurate location for the film,” Schumer added.

What Schumer failed to mention, is that the state still has not renewed the tax incentives program that has made filming in New York State so desirable.