RW Discovery Revolutionary Yonkers/Press Release Contact: Constance M. Kehoe, President Revolutionary Westchester 250, Inc. Cell: 914-261-8479 [email protected] https://RW250.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Discover Revolutionary Yonkers Experience the American Revolution Saturdays Nov. 9 and 16 A Revolutionary Trolley Tour: Historical Yonkers & Kingsbridge Nov. 9, 2019: 3-hour Trolley Tour 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A Revolutionary Family Day at Philipse Manor Hall What Happened Here and Who Tells the Story? Nov. 16, 2019: All-day 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The public is invited to witness and experience the American Revolution in Yonkers and Kingsbridge through two exciting events planned for November. Revolutionary Westchester 250, Inc. (RW250.org) is pleased to work with local Yonkers and Kingsbridge partners to bring to life the story of the Revolutionary War in this critically important region. Yonkers Historical Society, the Kingsbridge Historical Society, Van Cortlandt House Museum, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), Iona College’s Institute for Thomas Paine Studies and New York State Parks, specifically - Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Friends of Philipse Manor Hall, the Yonkers Riverfront Library, the City of Yonkers, Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District, Inc. of Yonkers, NY, Yonkers Chamber of Commerce and Westchester County have joined together to create and support these two events. With the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States a few years away, RW 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. Constance M. Kehoe, President, Revolutionary Westchester 250, Inc. said, “We are delighted to work with many enthusiastic partners in Yonkers and Kingsbridge. As president of Revolutionary Westchester 250 I’m excited that residents and visitors will be able to experience this local history of the American Revolution through a variety of engaging activities that meet the needs of both families and history enthusiasts.” About the Nov. 9 and 16, Discover Revolutionary Yonkers events: Both events focus on the rich history of Yonkers and "lower Yonkers" now the Kingsbridge area of the Bronx, with a special emphasis on the contributions of women, Native Americans and free and enslaved persons of African descent during the Revolutionary War period, as well as the loyalists, patriots, “neutral” families and the British, Hessian and Continental soldiers. (more) 1 RW Discovery Revolutionary Yonkers/Press Release Conflict and compromise surrounded the local tenant farmers and wealthy landowners alike. Families were divided. Soldiers of diverse groups were camped on hilltops and in Philipse Manor Hall. This was Yonkers and the surrounding area in those Revolutionary years. Participants will hear these diverse stories, along with the sounds of fife and drums, and see the actual locations where nearly 250 years ago the Revolutionary War was raging and the founding of the United States was underway. In addition, participants will experience the modern vibrancy of the surrounding Waterfront district, Van Der Donck Park and the Saw Mill River Daylighting project. About Discover Revolutionary Yonkers and Kingsbridge Historical Trolley Tour Nov. 9, 2019 As the junction between British-occupied New York City and Westchester’s bountiful farmlands, Yonkers and Kingsbridge played a dramatic role during the eight years of the Revolutionary War. The 3-hour tour, to begin and end near Philipse Manor Hall, will trace the historic military routes traveled by General George Washington and others, and will recount the triumphs and struggles of British commanders, Hessian auxiliary troops, Native American soldiers fighting for the Patriot cause, and the hardships faced by everyday people, including women and free and enslaved persons of African descent. At each stop, knowledgeable local docents will lead the discussion placing participants in the heart of the action! At 9:30 a.m. sharp board the Trolley in front of Philipse Manor Hall. At 12:30 p.m., the trolley returns near the Yonkers Waterfront Library, within a short walk of Philipse Manor Hall. Join an optional visit in the Library lobby to view and discuss the enslaved African raingarden statues. Following this, participants may wish to join an optional wreath placement ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in front of the Manor Hall with the Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Preregister for the Trolley Tour through the Yonkers History Society by email to [email protected] or phone (914-961- 8940) by November 6th. A $10.00 donation is suggested per person. Seating is very limited. About A Revolutionary Family Day at Philipse Manor Hall Nov. 16, 2019 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Travel back in time for a full day immersion with musicians, costumed re-enactors, speakers and authors as your guides. Participants will learn about what actually happened here in 1777. What side did the Philipse family choose and why? Why was Kingsbridge such a critical place and how did the wealthy VanCortlandts survive and thrive during the war? What became of them? What happened to the Wappinger Chief NimHam? Which side did he choose? Whose side would you choose: Loyalist, Patriot or Neither? Why do we care about all this and why do we commemorate these events and people? Simple. It’s our collective history. Activities will be take place throughout the historic Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, the oldest standing building in Westchester County. The Revolutionary War story will be told by diverse voices. Special guest Mary Calvi, first lady of Yonkers, NY, television journalist, and author of Dear George, Dear Mary, a Novel of George Washington's First Love, will speak informally with visitors. Visitors will hear little-known tales, like the story of Deborah Sampson. During a one-hour, experience, this brave woman will appear on the stage in a highly acclaimed one-woman show, A Revolution of Her Own, performed by Judith Kalaora. The real Sampson dressed as a man and served bravely as a Continental soldier when few women did. Gilbert Cryinghawk, in traditional dress, will interact with visitors outdoors as well as present a short talk about Chief NimHam and the Wappinger tribe during the Revolution. Dave Loda, mounted on Huckleberry, will portray the infamous loyalist LTC James Delancey and explains why he did not join the Patriots. 2 RW Discovery Revolutionary Yonkers/Press Release Outdoors, Hearts of Oak costumed youth and adult re-enactors, smartly dressed in their authentic uniforms, the same as worn by private Alexander Hamilton, will perform authentic drills and demonstrations to rousing fife and drum tunes. [photos attached/captions below] History enthusiasts will have the opportunity to hear expert and popular speakers scheduled throughout the day. Presenters include Dr. Erik Weiselberg, RW250, Dr. Michael Crowder, Iona College Public Historian, and Nick Dembowski, President of the Kingsbridge Historical Society. Admission is free to Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site. For further information about the day, please contact Philipse Manor Hall Sate Historic Site at 914-965-4027 or email mailto:[email protected] or visit https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/37/details.aspx. About RW250 In July 2016, the Congress of the United States passed and President Obama signed Public Law 114-196, the "United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016." This law’s purpose was to:...”Establish a Commission to provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and related events through local, state, national, and international activities planned, encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national commission representative of appropriate public and private authorities and organizations.” The goal of RW250, in connection with this national commemoration, is to engage with Westchester communities to help build public awareness, positive recognition and thoughtful reflection about the events, places and ideas of the Revolutionary War period in Westchester County. For more information and to view our events calendar, go to RW250.org. Contact: Constance M. Kehoe, President Revolutionary Westchester 250, Inc. Cell: 914-261-8479 [email protected] https://RW250.org EDITOR’S NOTE: LIST OF PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS ON FOLLOWING PAGE. FOR HI-RESOLUTION PHOTOS PLEASE EMAILYOUR REQUEST TO CONSTANCE KEHOE. [email protected] 3 RW Discovery Revolutionary Yonkers/Press Release Photo captions: Hearts of Oak reenactors and musicians will perform and interact with visitors at Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, New York, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Visitors to A Revolutionary Day at Philipse Manor Hall on Nov. 16, 2019will meet Dave Loda mounted on Huckleberry, as he portrays the infamous loyalist LTC James Delancey and explains why he did not join the Patriots. [PHOTO RIGHT] Deborah Sampson bound her chest, tied back her hair and enlisted in the Continental Army as “Robert Shurtlieff.” See Judith Kalaora portray Deborah on the stage at 3:00 P.M. Nov.16, 2019 at A Revolutionary Family Day at Philipse Manor Hall. Photo Credit: NewTV’s The Folklorist. ### 4 .