St. Paul’s Honors Constance Kehoe – May 13

Constance Kehoe, RW250 President, is being honored by St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site for her leadership of Westchester County’s 250th commemoration of the American Revolution. Thanks to Connie, Westchester County is already being recognized for its planning, programs and tours highlighting our vital role in the creation of the country.

The Board of Trustees of The Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of Rights invites you to salute Connie on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at their annual fundraiser on behalf of the historic site.

• Award presentation at 5:30 followed by a reception in the Museum with music, food, drinks and mingling with some special heroes of the Revolutionary War.

• Tickets are $50/person. Checks payable to “The Society of the National Shrine of the Bill of Rights” can be mailed to St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, Attention: Benefit Event, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt Vernon, NY 10550.

• RSVP by May 4

• For more information, call 914-667-4116

News & Events from RW250

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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.

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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.

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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.

News & Events from RW250

NEWS

Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters Receives Restoration Grants
The Town of Greenburgh has received two $500,000 grants as part of the ongoing restoration of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Leader of the New York State Senate, made one grant and former Assemblyman Tom Abinanti the other.

Senator Stewart-Cousins relayed her firm support for the restoration: “I am happy to announce a new capital grant of $500,000 that I secured to support the restoration and renovation of the Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters that played such an important role in the Revolutionary War. It had been in a state of continuous disrepair, unprotected and vandalized for over 30 years until the Town of Greenburgh assumed ownership in 2020. Since then, with my support, the Town has received other State funding to renovate this historical structure. I applaud the formation of The Friends of OHRH and its leadership who have led the charge and done so much to restore the property so it can be turned into a public museum by 2026 in celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary.”

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EVENTS

Dr. Iris De Rode on François-Jean de Chastellux and American Independence
François-Jean Chastellux, a major general in the French army, member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and cousin of the marquis de Lafayette, played a central role in the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War. Chastellux was part of Rochambeau’s forces during their encampments in Westchester.

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 will discuss Chastellux’s important involvement during and after the Revolution through his military, intellectual, scientific, commercial, and political exchanges.

The live event will be presented by the American Revolution Institute of The Society of the Cincinnati at Anderson House in Washington, D.C. and can also be viewed on Zoom.

Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m. Details and Zoom registration link here.
 

She-Merchants, Sachems, and Slaves: Women of Colonial New York
New York was one of the most diverse of the thirteen colonies, thanks to its Dutch colonial roots. Racial religious and racial diversity meant that colliding cultures had different ideas of how to treat women. Learn about women’s rights (or lack thereof) in Munsee, Iroquois, African, Dutch, and English culture, and how enslaved women’s rights changed over time. Learn about women’s roles in everyday life, uprisings, and war. Meet individual women like Dutch she-merchant Margaret Hardenbroek De Vries Philipse, Esopus sachem Mamanuchqua, Jewish merchant Rebecca Gomez, Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson, and more. Presenter Sarah Wassberg Johnson is the Education & Programs Manager for Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site.

Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. In-person at Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site and online via WebEx. Registration information here.
 

A Revolution of Her Own! Deborah Sampson
Award-winning historical interpreter, Judith Kalaora, portrays Deborah Sampson, the first woman to fight in and be honorably discharged from the American Military. Judith captivates audiences in an immersive living history program chronicling Sampson’s life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a man’s world, where women were naught but second-class citizens. As a self-educated masterless woman, she felt a higher calling, and in the final years of the American Revolution, Deborah bound her chest, tied back her hair, and enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army, as “Robert Shurtlieff.” The American heroine takes you back in time in a unique performance in honor of Women’s History Month. Appropriate for all ages.

Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m. This Rockefeller State Park Preserve event will place at the Pocantico Hills Fire Department 531 Bedford Rd, Tarrytown, N.Y. Cost: $5 + Eventbrite fees. Register here.
 

Washington’s Rock Legends & Lore Marker Dedication

This 1913 photo was found in a box of postcards by the family of Dr. Leroy Heck.

In 2015 a group of Mt. Kisco history enthusiasts rediscovered “Washington’s Rock.” For more than a century local lore was that General George Washington sat on the rock and ate his dinner on November 10, 1776, before heading to Peekskill with his troops after the Battle of White Plains. The Mount Kisco Historical Society cordially invites the public to celebrate the dedication of the new Legends & Lore marker at Washington’s Rock. This event is free. The marker was made possible by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Sunday, March 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at George Washington Rock, 681 Main St., Mount Kisco, N.Y. Parking is available across the street at 657 Main Street. Raindate: Sunday, March 26.

Huzzah!

Photo by Tim Lamorte/Rivertowns Enterprise

CONGRATULATIONS to Revolutionary Westchester 250 President Constance Kehoe, one of this year’s 51 inductees into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame. Connie received special recognition from County Executive George Latimer during the virtual ceremony today. Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky nominated Kehoe for the Senior Hall of Fame. In November, Shimsky was elected to the New York State Assembly.

Read more in the Rivertowns Enterprise.

What a day!

Constance Kehoe, President of Revolutionary Westchester 250 and Bill Wienecke, with Living History Education Foundation, greeted visitors at Revolution on the Hudson! A Living History Experience held on October 22 at Pierson Park in Tarrytown, NY. The history of Tarrytown in the Revolutionary War came alive with hands-on experiences for kids and adults including drilling with the Continental Army and trying out colonial games. Stage performances included historical interpreters depicting the three patriot captors of British spy Major John André, Deborah Sampson, a Continental Army soldier who disguised herself as a man, and Benedict Arnold. Nearly 1,000 visitors joined the fun, immersive experience.

Many thanks to all the Village of Tarrytown staff, elected officials, reenactors, Rotary members, historical societies and residents who joined the day!

Last Huzzah!

Nearly 1,000 visitors participated in the wide variety of living history experiences at Revolution on the Hudson in Pierson Park, Tarrytown, NY on October 22, 2022. The event was produced by Revolutionary Westchester 250. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the appointment of Constance Kehoe, President of RW250, to the New York State 250th Commemoration Commission.

Many thanks to our sponsors Westchester County Tourism & Film, Village of Tarrytown, and Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and our partners, The Historical Society Serving Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown and Historic Hudson River Towns.

Revolution on the Hudson! Living History Experience

• October 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Pierson Park, on the waterfront in historic Tarrytown, NY

• This family-friendly event is FREE!

Revolution on the Hudson! will feature historical figures such as George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Major John André, Benjamin Franklin, and Patriot David Williams. Multiple military reenactor groups will be on-site, including a cavalry unit, the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, with several of their military horses, and Alexander Hamilton’s militia unit, Hearts of Oak.

There will be craft demonstrators including blacksmithing, demonstrations of Lenape technologies, colonial-period music, a military tent encampment and a marching/parade demonstration of more than 30 soldiers.

Theatrical performances will take place at intervals on the park’s outdoor stage—providing immersive, entertaining, and educational experiences.

Produced by Revolutionary Westchester 250

Sponsored in part by Westchester County Tourism & Film, Village of Tarrytown, and Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and in partnership with The Historical Society Serving Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown and Historic Hudson River Towns

RW250 Roundtable Book Group

We are excited to announce that historian Mary Beth Norton, the author of our next book group selection, will join us to discuss her book 1774: The Long Year of Revolution. Her book traces the critical “long year” of 1774 and the revolutionary changes that took place, from the Boston Tea Party and the First Continental Congress to the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

The Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University is once again joining RW250 as a cosponsor and host of the RW250 Roundtable Book Group. Dr. Michael Crowder, ITPS Public Historian will moderate the discussion.

Free and open to the public on Zoom. Registration required here to receive Zoom link.

Sunday, October 16 at 2 p.m. on Zoom.

News & Events (Lots of Events!) from Revolutionary Westchester 250

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NEWS

Award for Local Educator Sean Grady
Congratulations to Sean Grady, who received the New York State Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Outstanding Teacher of American History Award on September 24th at the yearly New York State DAR convention. Sean was nominated by the Hudson River Patriots Chapter. In addition to playing the role of British Major John André at events in the Hudson Valley, Sean is a teacher in the Ardsley Union Free School District.

Rip Van Winkle’s Republic: Washington Irving in History and Memory
Washington Irving wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow 40 years after the Revolutionary War. In his essay in a new book published by LSU press, RW250 Historian, Dr. Erik Weiselberg, explores how the legend that Irving created connects explicitly back to events in the Revolution. Weiselberg cites the capture of British spy Major John André in Tarrytown by three Patriots in 1780 as one of those events. The book also includes an essay by RW250 Advisory Board member Dr. Elizabeth L. Bradley, Vice President of Programs and Engagement at Historic Hudson Valley.

Rip Van Winkle’s Republic: Washington Irving in History and Memory, edited by Andrew Burstein and Nancy Isenberg, is available from LSU Press and other online booksellers.

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EVENTS

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

The Recruiting Sergeant
Historical performer Michael Grillo portrays a sergeant in the Westchester County Militia in 1775. He will touch upon every major campaign of the battle for New York. Learn about the life of a common soldier: clothes, food, where they were quartered, which nations were involved and so much more. This talk is about one hour and includes a question-and-answer period. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 1 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ardsley Public Library, 9 American Legion Drive, Ardsley, N.Y. To register email peggym@wlsmail.org or call (914) 693-6636.

History in Our Backyard: Stories & Tours of the Battle of Edgar’s Lane
Join Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk as he shares the story of the Battle of Edgar’s Lane in Hastings. There will be period music and characters, tours of the Revolutionary Walk site and more. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 1, noon to 3 p.m. Wagner Park at Warburton Ave & Broadway, Hastings-on-Hudson, park at Zinsser Field. Sponsored by the Hastings Historical Society.

Hulda: The Other Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Storyteller Carla Lynne Hall performs as Mother Hulda of Bohemia, a woman who lived in Sleepy Hollow during the 1770s. In Edgar Mayhew Bacon’s 1897 book Chronicles of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, he mentioned the woman whose basket weaving and healing abilities led to her being shunned as a witch, while her skills as a sharpshooter made her a Revolutionary War hero. Musical accompaniment by Jim Keyes. Ages 8+ and adults. Admission is free.

October 1, 1 to 2 p.m. Dobbs Ferry Public Library theater, 55 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 914-693-6614 or gelbert@wlsmail.org

This program will also be presented at the Katonah Village Library on October 19 at 4:30 p.m.

The Burning of New York City: The Great Fire of 1776
Who set New York City ablaze in September 1776, while some of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War raged in the areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn? Why did they do it? Explore these absorbing questions through a presentation by a distinguished author and historian of the American Revolution, Professor Benjamin Carp of the CUNY Graduate Center.

Admission is free. This will be a live talk and it will also be offered as a livestream through shared platform. Please register for either of these formats by using the “contact us” pop-up form on this page. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 1, 12 noon. St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.

Twin Forts Day: 245th Anniversary of the Battle for Forts Montgomery and Clinton
Commemorate the 245th anniversary of the battle for Forts Montgomery and Clinton, with reenactors representing units present on the day of the battle, who will bring to life the dramatic defense of the forts through cannon firings, military drills, demonstrations of camp life and children’s activities. See the complete schedule here. This event is free.

October 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, 690 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery N.Y.

Revolutionary Walk: Exploring the Battle of Edgars Lane
This outdoor lecture and short walk explore fresh perspectives on the details and context of a Revolutionary battle site in Hastings. On September 30, 1778, along the old Albany Post Road south of Dobbs Ferry (in today’s Hastings-on-Hudson), a combined American force consisting of Continental infantry and cavalry carried out a successful ambush on a marauding Hessian patrol, killing over 15 and taking many prisoners, without suffering significant losses themselves. Fred Charles and Niles Jaeger, speakers, are part of Revolutionary Hastings, a committee of the Hastings Historical Society. Admission is free.

Thursday, October 6 at 10 a.m. Located in Wagner Park, at the intersection of Broadway and Warburton Avenue in Hastings-on-Hudson. Park across the street at Zinsser Park, at the intersection of Edgar’s Lane and Broadway. Presented by Revolutionary Hastings and the Hastings Historical Society. Register here with the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct. 

These Are the Times That Try Men’s Souls: Thomas Paine and the American Revolution
Dr. Michael Crowder, Public Historian at the Paine Institute of Iona University, will explore the writings and pivotal influence of Thomas Paine during the American Revolution. Dr. Crowder also teaches American History at Queens College/CUNY. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 8, at 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. No registration is necessary for live attendance at the site. Reservation is required for the livestreaming, shared platform, of the presentation. Call 914-667-4116.

The Trial of Major André
Written and performed by two local educators, the play recounts the trial of British Major John André, American General Benedict Arnold’s accomplice in their treason plot. Had Arnold’s plot to deliver the plans for West Point to the British been successful, the loss of the key strategic fort could have led to an American defeat and the loss of our independence. Presented by the Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 8, from 2 to 3 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, N.Y. 1880 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. To park, enter the paved lot off Route 132.

Washington’s Headquarters/Miller House Tour
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Washington’s Headquarters Museum, also known as the Miller House, is an 18th-century style farmhouse that served as a command post during the Battle of White Plains in 1776. As part of Path Through HistoryFall weekend, Miller House will be open to the public for free tours with re-enactor “Ann Miller.” Event by Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy. Admission is free. Registration is not required. On-site parking is limited.

Sunday, October 9, from 12 – 3:00 pm. Miller House, 140 Virginia Road, White Plains, N.Y.

Westchester’s Revolutionary War Places Presentation
Constance Kehoe, president of RW 250, will highlight some of the Revolutionary War events that took place in Westchester—from the Battle of White Plains and the crucial vote that made the Declaration of Independence unanimous, to the capture of British spy Major John André with the plans for West Point in his boots. She will focus on local sites and the people whose actions here made a difference to the outcome of our war for independence.

Wednesday, October 12, at 6 p.m. Zoom only. Preregister here for this free presentation. Co-sponsored by Yonkers Historical Society and Yonkers Public Library.

This program will also be presented in-person at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site on October 15. See below, Battle of Pell’s Point Encampment.

Pell’s Point Battlefield Walk
St. Paul’s staff leads a walking tour of the Pell’s Point battlefield, located on what is today the Split Rock Golf Course, in nearby Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, N.Y. Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. Number of participants is limited.

Wednesday, October 12, 10 a.m. Please call 914-667-4116 for registration and directions.

The Headless Horseman of White Plains, A Revolutionary Origin Story 
Washington Irving hints that the Battle of White Plains launched The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Get the full story of the galloping goblin’s start on Halloween 1776! Performing in period dress, Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk shares how a Yankee cannonball, perhaps fired by a unit commanded by a future founding father, took away the head of a Hessian trooper. Registration is required for this free, in-person event. All ages 10+

Thursday, Oct 13 6 to 7 p.m. Tuckahoe Public Library, 71 Columbus Ave., Tuckahoe, N.Y. Contact Elaine Provenzano at eprovenzano@wlsmail.org or 914-231-3151.

Candlelight Cemetery Tour and Concert
Join us for a free concert of colonial folk music and a candlelight tour of the historic cemetery at St. Paul’s Church.

Friday, October 14, 7 p.m. St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N.Y., 914-667-4116.

Battle of Pell’s Point Encampment
St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site hosts their annual Battle of Pell’s Point Encampment, with re-enactments, performances, including members of Hearts-of-Oak, demonstrations and a presentation exploring the battle fought near St. Paul’s on October 18, 1776, and the era of the American Revolution. At 12 noon Constance Kehoe, president of RW250, will give an in-person (no livestream) presentation on Westchester’s Revolutionary War Places. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N.Y., 914-667-4116.

Local Revolutionary War Relics and Their Stories
Susan Seal, President of the Friends of Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters, will show some of the treasures found at the site, and will discuss the progress being made to restore the house and create a museum. This event is free.

October 15, 2 to 3 p.m. Warner Library, 121 North Broadway, Tarrytown, N.Y. Call Francisco Miranda 914-631-7734 for details.

The display of objects found at Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters will be at the Warner Library from October 4 to October 31.

Ministers of Apollo Chamber Music
Come listen to Ministers of Apollo perform authentic instrumental and vocal music that was popular during the period 1775-83 and learn more about how the music illustrates the lives of people during the conflict. Using period clothing, cosmetics and instruments, Erik and Eliza Lichack will transport you back to the period of the Revolutionary War. Admission is free, but registration is required.

October 15 at 1 p.m. Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Rd. Scarsdale N.Y. To register email scaref@wlsmail.org or call 914-358-6060.

Rendezvous with Treason: The Andre/Arnold Conspiracy
This dramatic portrayal shares the history of two of the most intriguing characters in the American Revolution—Major John André and General Benedict Arnold and their fateful meeting in Haverstraw, New York in 1780. The events following their collusion played out across Putnam, Westchester and Rockland Counties. The performance by local educators Sean Grady and Gary Petegrine, allows these infamous men an opportunity to tell their side of the story and the motivations behind the plot that could have ended the cause of Independence. Admission is free. No registration required.

Saturday, October 15, 2:30 p.m. at the Briarcliff Manor Public Library, 1 Library Road, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Information dpesce@wlsmail.org

RW250 Book Group
We are excited to announce that historian Mary Beth Norton, the author of our next book group selection, will join us to discuss her book 1774: The Long Year of Revolution. Her book traces the critical “long year” of 1774 and the revolutionary changes that took place, from the Boston Tea Party and the First Continental Congress to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University is once again joining RW250 as a cosponsor and host of the RW250 Roundtable Book Group. Dr. Michael Crowder, ITPS Public Historian will moderate the discussion. Free and open to the public on Zoom. Registration required here to receive Zoom link.

Sunday, October 16 at 2 p.m. on Zoom.

Questions & Curiosities of the American Revolution
Living History presenter Joe Ryan will perform his “Questions & Curiosities of the American Revolution.” Did you ever look at a picture of an American Revolutionary War battle and wonder why they fought in lines and across open fields? Learn what “a flash in the pan” was, and other daily duties of a common soldier’s life including: hygiene, field medicine, food, etc. Be sure to bring a sense of humor! For adults and teens age 12+. Space is limited. Registration required.

October 16, 2 p.m. Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St. South Salem, N.Y. Call 914-875-9004 to register.

Hulda: The Other Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Storyteller Carla Lynne Hall performs as Mother Hulda of Bohemia, a woman who lived in Sleepy Hollow during the 1770s. In Edgar Mayhew Bacon’s 1897 book Chronicles of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, he mentioned the woman whose basket weaving and healing abilities led to her being shunned as a witch, while her skills as a sharpshooter made her a Revolutionary War hero. Musical accompaniment by Jim Keyes. Ages 8+ and adults. Admission is free.

October 19, 4:30 p.m. Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah, N.Y. Call 914-232-3508 or email info@katonahlibrary.org

Revolution in Song and Story
Join us in a musically historic journey for the entire family! Balladeer Linda Russell brings the world of 18th century Westchester to musical life in this entertaining, educational, and interactive presentation. Children under 10 must be supervised. Registration required. Admission is free.

October 19 at 11:00 a.m. Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Rd. Scarsdale N.Y. scakids@wlsmail.org or 914-358-6078.

Historical Tailoring
This hands-on demonstration teaches historical sewing techniques, the politics behind the fashions, what textiles were used and why, and more. Participants will work on a project to take home. This program is for adults, but teens ages 12 and up are welcome. Admission is free. Registration is required. Sign up early, as space and supplies are limited!

October 20 at 7:00 p.m. Town of Pelham Public Library, 530 Colonial Avenue, Pelham N.Y. To register, please click here or call 914-738-1234.

Revolution on the Hudson! Living History Experience
Revolution on the Hudson! will feature historical figures such as George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Major John André, Benjamin Franklin, and Patriot David Williams. Multiple military reenactor groups will be on-site, including a cavalry unit, the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, with several of their military horses, and Alexander Hamilton’s militia unit, Hearts of Oak. There will be craft demonstrators including blacksmithing, demonstrations of Lenape technologies, colonial-period music, a military tent encampment and a marching/parade demonstration of more than 30 soldiers with musket firing. Theatrical performances will take place at intervals on the park’s outdoor stage—providing immersive, entertaining, and educational experiences. For updates and information email 1776RW250@gmail.com. This family-friendly event is FREE.

October 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Pierson Park, Tarrytown, N.Y.

Commemoration of the Battle of White Plains
Tour the 301-year-old Purdy House and enjoy the commemoration with George Washington, troops, and the Young Colonial fife & drum corp. See demonstrations of blacksmithing, broom making and Native American crafts. Children’s activities. White Plains Historical Society. Free and open to the public.

October 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jacob Purdy House, 60 Park Avenue, White Plains, N.Y. Parking on the surrounding streets. Information cynthia@doll1776.com

The Trial of Major John André

Written and performed by two local educators, the play recounts the trial of British Major John André, American General Benedict Arnold’s accomplice in their treason plot.

Saturday, October 8, 2 p.m.  

First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown Sanctuary, 2880 Crompond Road, parking in nearby paved lot off of Route 202

Free for the entire family, history enthusiasts

Westchester’s Revolutionary War Places Presentation

From the Battle of White Plains and the crucial vote that made the Declaration of Independence unanimous to the capture of British spy Major John André with the plans for West Point in his boots, Westchester County played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Constance Kehoe, president of Revolutionary Westchester 250, will highlight some of these crucial events, with a focus on the local sites and the people whose actions here made a difference to the outcome of our war for independence. Revolutionary Westchester 250 is building awareness and excitement for the events, places, ideas and people—both the unsung and the famous—of the Revolutionary War period in Westchester County, in preparation for the 250th anniversary in 2026.

Hosted by the Briarcliff Manor Public Library. September 22, 1-2 p.m. on Zoom

Register at dpesce@wlsmail.org

Revolution on the Hudson! Living History Experience

Save the date for our Revolution on the Hudson! Living History Experience on the waterfront in historic Tarrytown, NY, on October 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Pierson Park. This family-friendly event is FREE.

Revolution on the Hudson! will feature historical figures such as George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Major John André, Benjamin Franklin, and Patriot David Williams. Multiple military reenactor groups will be on-site, including a cavalry unit, the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, with several of their military horses, and Alexander Hamilton’s militia unit, Hearts of Oak. There will be craft demonstrators including blacksmithing, demonstrations of Lenape technologies, colonial-period music, a military tent encampment and a marching/parade demonstration of more than 30 soldiers with musket firing. Theatrical performances will take place at intervals on the park’s outdoor stage—providing immersive, entertaining, and educational experiences.

Guns at the Gateway at Ft. Montgomery State Historic Park

RW250 President Constance Kehoe joined the enthusiastic audience at Ft. Montgomery State Historic Park to experience the debut performance of Guns at the Gateway. We found out how Colonel John Lamb (Gary Petegrine) and Colonel James Livingston (Sean Grady) played a critical role in foiling the treasonous plot by General Benedict Arnold to surrender the fort at West Point. Thanks to Peter Cutul and the staff at Ft. Montgomery for organizing this event, and for mother nature for providing the backdrop of the Hudson (North) River! I learned a lot!

Save Mt. Misery!

North Castle Historical Society Vice President Tom Rice, member Nora Manuele, spearheading “Save Mt. Misery,” New York State Assembly member Chris Burdick, Constance Kehoe, president RW250, and State Senator Shelley Mayer gathered on Mt. Misery to review the geography and the historical significance of this high point where General Washington deployed troops during the Battle of White Plains in 1776.

Left to Right: North Castle Historical Society Vice President Tom Rice, member Nora Manuele, spearheading “Save Mt. Misery,” New York State Assembly member Chris Burdick, Constance Kehoe, president RW250, and State Senator Shelley Mayer.

Honoring French Soldiers at Old St. Peter’s Church

Nearly 50 visitors attended Van Cortlandtville Historical Society’s ceremony held at the historic Old St. Peter’s Church to remember and honor the French soldiers who died and were interred at this site during the American Revolution. Jeff Canning, past president of the society led the ceremony. Robert E. Mayes, Cortlandt Town Board member, attended with his son and Constance Kehoe, president of RW250 spoke briefly about planning for the 250th commemoration of the American Revolution.

New York State 250th Commemoration Act Announcement

We were proud to join Revolutionary War-era living history reenactors, historians, state, county and local officials—including New York State Senators Shelley B. Mayer and Pete Harckham and Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky—to celebrate the signing of the New York State 250th Commemoration Act, which will allow the state to plan for the semiquincentennial commemoration of the American Revolution in 2026. The event took place at historic King's Ferry, Verplanck's Point, NY. on March 17, 2022 .

Living History Encampment at St. Paul’s National Historic Site

In October we were pleased to support and participate in the Living History Encampment at St. Paul’s National Historic Site in Mount Vernon, New York.

This free outdoor family day featured music, military drills, period craft demonstrations and more. There were special performances by the Hearts of Oak Militia Company and Fife & Drum Musicians and visitor had a chance to chat with Revolutionary War generals and learn about local history events.

RW250 President Constance Kehoe’s presentation about Westchester’s Revolutionary War sites included demonstrations of colonial dance steps and music.

Battle of Edgar’s Lane Revolutionary Walk Dedication

Revolutionary Westchester 250 has been thrilled to be part of the Revolutionary Hastings project, to bring to the public an inviting plaza with historically accurate interpretive panels that make local history come alive. Thursday, September 30, 2021—on the 243rd anniversary of the Battle of Edgar’s Lane—residents, students, elected officials and many friends, came to the unveiling of this new plaza. Take a look at these photos of the many young people who showed up from Hastings High School and the elected officials who understand how much an awareness of local history enhances our lives and our local communities.

Battle of Edgar’s Lane Revolutionary Walk Dedication Ceremony

RW250 President Constance Kehoe’s remarks at the Revolutionary Walk: Exploring the Battle of Edgar’s Lane dedication ceremony, September 30, 2021.