News & Events from RW250
NEWS
Support for the 250th Commemoration in Albany
Many thanks to State Senators Mayer and Skoufis for drawing attention to the educational and economic benefits from the 2026 commemoration when they recently wrote, “New York is home to one-third of the battle sites of the American Revolutionary War and 81 historical societies and museums dedicated to the Founding Era. 19 of the most important sites are operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. New York has played a pivotal role in the story of America — from Seneca Falls to Stonewall. With so many sites and museums ready to welcome visitors, our state stands to generate millions of dollars from a successful 250th Anniversary commemorative cycle and provide wonderful educational opportunities for children and adults…”
Sean Grady Honored
Sean Grady, an Ardsley Middle School teacher has been named by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) as the Outstanding Teacher of American History for 2023, following his New York State Award last year. He will receive his Award at a black-tie event during NSDAR Continental Congress in June in Washington, DC.
Many followers of RW250 have met Sean when he portrays British spy Major John André in living history performances. Sean writes and performs in a variety of historic plays that include characters such as Benedict Arnold and Ben Franklin.
Joe Ryan Honored
Joseph Ryan, president of the Living History Education Foundation, is the 2023 recipient of the Lincoln Society’s “Champion of History Award” for his outstanding support of the history community. During the past 50 years, Joe has devoted his teaching and retirement years to bringing history alive for students in the Hudson Valley region—beginning with the Blue Mountain Middle School in the Hendrick Hudson School District in 1969 with a dozen students who re-enacted the life of soldiers in the Revolutionary War. He has enriched many Revolutionary Westchester 250 events over the years and we congratulate him on this richly earned honor. As Joe himself would say, in his booming voice, HUZZAH!
New RW250 Officers
Please join us in welcoming Char Weigel and Frank Kaiman in the critically important roles as RW250 officers. Char is our new Vice President for Special Projects and Frank is Secretary of RW250.
François-Jean de Chastellux and American Independence
Dr. Iris De Rode’s presentation on François-Jean de Chastellux, a major general in the French army who played a central role in the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War is now on YouTube here. Recorded at the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati Recently, a collection of more than four thousand pages of Chastellux’s private papers were discovered at his estate in Burgundy, France, by historian Dr. Iris De Rode. Drawing from her discovery and other primary sources, Dr. De Rode discusses Chastellux’s important involvement during and after the Revolution through his military, intellectual, scientific, commercial, and political exchanges. Dr. De Rode serves on the RW250 Advisory Committee.
Follow the French Tour Announced
Visit three historic Revolutionary War sites in Westchester, where French troops camped during the final year of the war, and along the way listen to a free audio tour about the crucial French alliance with General George Washington and the Continental Army. Come learn about the French role in winning our war for independence, see their encampment sites, visit a historic tavern, meet Generals Rochambeau and Washington, tour a pop-up museum, and pet animals from the colonial period.
The free family-friendly event will take place May 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can go at your own pace and visit the sites in any order. The three sites are Smith’s Tavern in Armonk, Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters in Hartsdale, and Rochambeau Park/Yorktown Grange Fair Grounds—where there will be a re-creation of a French campsite. Each location will have family activities.
Tour organized by the Friends of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters, in collaboration with the North Castle Historical Society and the Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission.
SAVE THE DATES!
May 13 John Jay Homestead will host a reenactors’ showcase (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
May 13 St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site’s annual benefit dinner will recognize RW250’s work and honor President Constance Kehoe (early evening).
May 20 the three-site “Follow the French” tour (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), mentioned above.
EVENTS
Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War
Between 1776 and 1783, Great Britain hired more than thirty thousand German soldiers to fight in its war against the American rebels. Collectively known as Hessians, the soldiers and accompanying civilians, including hundreds of women and children, spent extended periods of time in locations as dispersed and varied as Canada in the North and West Florida in the South. In this presentation, Friederike Baer highlights some of the key experiences of these participants in a war on a distant continent against a people that had done them no harm.
This event is both in person ($5 for nonmembers, members free) and via Zoom (free). Click here to register.
Monday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl Street, New York City.
Saving a National Treasure, the Story of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters
In the summer of 1781, after spying on the British troops in Manhattan for six weeks, General Washington and General Rochambeau made a critical decision. They would not attack the British in New York but instead would take their troops across the Hudson River and march to Yorktown, Virginia to confront General Cornwallis’ army in the South. That decision changed the war and it happened at Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters (OHRH). In the spring of 2020, at the urging and leadership of Susan Seal, the Town of Greenburgh, N.Y. took possession of Odell House to save it from collapse. Amazingly, this house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, retains most of its original details and it is now in the process of restoration. OHRH President Susan Seal will tell the story of the house and the ongoing efforts to restore and open the house as a museum by 2026, in time for the 250th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence.
This free afternoon presentation will be held in-person and streamed via Zoom. Register for either format here.
Wednesday, April 12, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl Street, New York City.
The American Revolution in Westchester: From the Hudson to the Sound
From July 9, 1776, when the Provincial Congress of the Province of New York took the vote that made the Declaration of Independence unanimous in White Plains, to the last day of the war seven years later, when the defeated British evacuated from New York City, Westchester County played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. RW250 President Constance Kehoe will highlight some of the Revolutionary War events that took place in Westchester, with a special emphasis on nautical engagements along the Hudson River and Long Island Sound. The presentation will cover well-known events—such as the treason of Benedict Arnold— as well as some lesser-known events that played out along the shores of the Hudson from Yonkers to West Point. There will be a Q&A after the program.
This event is free, but seating is limited and advance registration is required. Click here for details and to register.
Wednesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. Presented by Ferry Sloops, Inc. at Shattemuc Yacht Club, 46 Westerly Road, Ossining, N.Y.
Insurrection, Conspiracy, and Resistance in Colonial New York
Colonial New York City was the location of two large scale insurrections and conspiracies, planned and enacted by the city’s sizable enslaved community. Not surprisingly, enslaved individuals of the Philipse family played a part in both plots. Join historian and Philipse Manor Hall’s Site Director, Michael A. Lord, as he discusses these plots and other methods of resistance carried out by the enslaved community in 18th-century New York.
This is both an in-person and virtual event. Seating is limited for the in-person event. Call 914-965-4027 or email sarah.johnson@parks.ny.gov to reserve your spot.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, pay at the door. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Virtual attendance via WebEx is free, but registration is required. Register here.
Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m. Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, 29 Warburton Ave. Yonkers, N.Y.
18th-Century Broom Making
This program is a full demonstration of colonial-era broom making, combined with a discussion of the history, stories, and legends surrounding this important craft. Questions are welcome, and encouraged, during the demonstration. Tom Hunt has 20+ years of 18th-century reenacting and craft demonstration experience at schools and events in Westchester County and beyond.
Refreshments will be served. $5 donation for non-members of the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society. A business meeting will start at 2 p.m. followed by the demonstration program.
Saturday, April 15, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Little Red Schoolhouse, 297 Locust Avenue, Cortlandt Manor. Sponsored by The Van Cortlandtville Historical Society. For information call 914-736-7868.
Sherwood House
Sherwood House Museum, operated by the Yonkers Historical Society, opens to the public for its spring season on Sunday, April 16th, and for every Sunday thereafter until June 25th. Learn the history of this 1740 tenant farmhouse and the families that lived here before the Revolutionary War.
Museum hours are from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Docent-led tours are available on these days. Private small-group tours may be arranged by contacting the YHS at: info@yonkershistoricalsociety.org or by phone at 914-961-8940.
Sunday, April 16, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sherwood House, 340 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers. Free parking is available on the site.
“Brave and Gallant”: African American Military Men at Saratoga
This online program looks at the nature of military service performed by African Americans in the Continental Amy and militias during the American War for Independence, with particular focus on some of the outstanding heroes who served in the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. The 1777 Battle of Normanskill will also be addressed, as will the service of the famed Rhode Island Regiment in upstate New York at the end of the war. Presenter Eric Schnitzer has worked at Saratoga National Historical Park since 1997, becoming Park Ranger/Military Historian in 2000.
This is a free online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email. To register click here.
Wednesday, April 26, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by the New York State Library.