Moravia, New York is quiet town found on the southern end of Owasco Lake. It has all the staples you'd expect from the Finger Lakes region: small town charm, beautiful views, waterfalls and of course— wine.

It's my birthplace, and also that of the 13th president of the United States.

"Millard Fillmore was the 13th president of the United States," Roger Phillips of the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society said. "He was born about four miles from where we are today, up in Summer Hill. He was a state assemblyman, U.S. congressman, the first elected New York State comptroller, and later he was vice president under Zachary Taylor... Became president upon Zachary Taylor's death."

Fillmore held the presidency during a time of great tension in our country, as fierce debates over slavery were growing. His main objective was to preserve the Union and avoid Civil War.

"He signed the Compromise of 1850 which in his mind was done to prevent the Civil War," Phillips said. "It really postponed it by 10 years."

For all of Fillmore's accomplishments and criticisms, Moravia residents have honored him over the years with such tributes including the Fillmore Glen State Park, a replica cabin of his childhood home, a plaque at his birthplace, and an annual festival called Fillmore Days.

It was at the Fillmore festival that the tradition of bathtub races began— an event based on the idea that Fillmore brought the bathtub to the White House. An accident ended the beloved tradition, but 20 years later the races will return to this year's Fillmore Days.

"You know, the town has a car show and we have the fair, and that brings a lot of attention to the area and a lot of commerce,"  Joshua Marnell, Friends of Fillmore Glen State Park said. "Decided that August, the second week in August, there really isn't much going on so we do bathtub races then."

It's that blend of tradition and new that makes Moravia a great place to see. So the next time you pour yourself a glass of Finger Lakes wine, remember this: it may pair best with a little bit of history.