y THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR nar IN WESTCHESTER olutio County-Wide, Protracted, and Dramatic Rev estchester By Erik Weiselberg, Ph.D., W Irvington Historical Society 250

The military activity of the Revolutionary War In preparation for a national celebration in Westchester began in July of 1776 with the of the American Revolution, local volunteers arrival of British ships up the and have established RW250 in cooperation with the formation of local . The Battle of White Plains on October 28 was a dramatic, full-scale County Historical Society and encounter between ’s Continental Westchester County. We are reaching out now Army and British forces. For the remaining seven to engage with all our local communities to years, ferocious skirmishes and brutal cavalry raids build public awareness, excitement, recognition in what became known as the “Neutral Ground” and capacity for the local efforts, programs and enflamed a bloody civil war between patriots celebrations of the critical and sustained role and loyalists. Westchester County played in the In 1780 the capture of Major John André by three American Revolution. militiamen at Tarrytown foiled the devious plot of traitor to deliver the plans of the stronghold at West Point to the British, and thus Boston and Philadelphia and many states and prevented immediate catastrophe for the patriot now Westchester County, , have begun cause. André’s trail, both before and after his preparing for the official national celebration capture, spread across nearly all of Westchester. of the 250th anniversary of the start of our In 1781, in preparation for a possible assault American Revolution in 2026. on British-held , the French army joined the American army in a huge encampment I look forward to adding your name, your that spanned the entirety of lower Westchester, organization, business or Westchester County from Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley across Hartsdale WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOU municipality to the RW250 effort. and Edgemont and as far as White Plains and New RW250 will work to make this a truly dazzling Rochelle. Washington acquiesced to the plan to grass-roots local celebration of march the combined armies to Virginia, which led our American Revolution history. to victory over Cornwallis at Yorktown in October 1781. Washington returned to Westchester in 1783 to oversee the evacuation of the British Army For more information, from New York City. Westchester’s role in the Revolutionary War was sustained, varied Email us now at and crucial. [email protected] RW250.org RW250.ORG [email protected] Revolutionary Westchester 250 1776~2026

Photos left to right: The Capture of Andre, John Jay and The John Jay What are some of the ways Homestead, Katonah, NY your local group or municipality can learn more about or get involved with RW250?

• RW250 can appear on the agenda of your local municipal Board of Trustees or Council or at a meeting of your local historical society, or at another local stakeholder organization to describe briefly the goals of RW250 and the critical role of local input for projects. STRATEGIC VISION • RW250 can provide a professional and lively introductory slide presentation with a Q and A to qualified local groups: “The Revolutionary Build awareness and excitement — starting in 2018 help if requested with planning, promoting and War in Westchester County: Tales of Adventure, — for the history of Westchester County during the coordinating local efforts to recognize and cele- Espionage and Patriotism at the Center of the Revolutionary War. brate those stories. Fight for Independence 1776-1783.”

• Encourage preparations for long-term projects • Promote heritage tourism in Westchester County • RW250 can discuss non-traditional and such as: installing road and way-finding signage, for all those interested in the Revolutionary War. non-military topics such as the experiences of producing new plaques and monuments, creating Provide a satisfying tourist experience by encour- the enslaved and of women during the artistic works, securing nationally known speakers aging the development of easily accessible infor- Revolutionary War period. for lectures, developing social media sites and mation about sites, lodging, dining, transportation, smart phone apps, generating walking and driving as well as nearby parks and recreational choices. • RW250 can provide examples of effective tours, all with historically accurate content. projects that other communities have pursued • Increase local sales and hotel tax income for the to increase public awareness of local • Enhance the general pleasure and well being county and enhance local businesses through Revolutionary War stories. of Westchester residents — especially students increasing heritage tourism. — through encouraging engagement with their Revolutionary Era history in their schools and in • Help groups and government entities identify communities. possible funding sources, support public-private partnerships, and identify grants for Revolutionary • Assist local municipalizes and local groups to Westchester 250 projects. enhance their awareness of the Revolutionary war stories of their people, places and events. Provide The Battle of White Plains mural located at White Plains Public Library