 |
American Revolution Sites & Museums
General Washington called the defense
of the Hudson Highlands against the British the
"key to the continent"--the strategy prevented British
ships from interrupting the flow of support between the New England
and lower colonies and was an important factor in winning the war.
We've compiled this guide to important American Revolutionary sites in New York's Hudson Valley, beginning with the Hudson Highlands region and moving North through the Mid- and Upper-Hudson Valley. Call ahead for information about open days and times before heading out, as they frequently change, especially from season to season.
|
HUDSON HIGHLANDS / LOWER HUDSON VALLEY
|
|
Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site
897 South Columbus Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-667-4116
The original church was built in 1695, and was rebuilt in 1763. In the Battle of Pell's Point (Pelham) in October 1776, the British unsuccessfully tried to trap George Washington and most of the Continental Army on Manhattan Island.
Saint Paul's, a mile away from the battle, was used as a hospital for the British. Visitor center and museum, historic cemetery.
|
|
|
|
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Warburton Ave. and Dock St., Yonkers, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-965-4027
Georgian-style stone house, built in the 1680s on Frederick Philipse's 52,500-acre estate. Philipse was arrested as a result of his Loyalist
activities and the property was confiscated; Philipse eventually fled to England. The house is now a museum of history, art and architecture.
|
|
photo: HRVNHA
|
|
White Plains Battlefield
60 Park Ave., White Plains, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-428-1776
The scene of a massive battle on October 28, 1776. Two surviving houses on the site are the Elijah Miller House Museum and the Jacob Purdy House, both used as headquarters by General Washington.
|
|
|
|
Jacob Purdy House
60 Park Ave., White Plains, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-328-1776
Built in 1721 and used by George Washington as his headquarters during the Battle of White Plains in 1776. Washington returned to the home in 1778 while planning a possible attack against British-occupied New York City.
|
|
Etching: H.B. Hall |
|
Elijiah Miller House
140 Virginia Rd., White Plains, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-864-7000
Built in 1738 and originally part of a 600-acre farm, Washington used the house as a command post several times during the Revolutionary War. The home is now maintained as a museum.
|
|
 |
|
Philipsburg Manor
Route 9, Tarrytown, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-631-8200/914-631-3992
Established in 1693, the mill, farm and trading complex was worked by tenant farmers and slaves. Loyalist Fredrick Philipse III was arrested and his property lost to the state after he pledged his allegience to British rule.
Includes the stone manor house with period furnishings and working water-powered grist mill. Costumed interpreters, historic breeds of cattle, sheep, and chickens, slave garden.
|
|
|
|
Van Cortlandt Manor
Croton On Hudson, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-271-8981 or 914-631-8200
Stephanus Van Cortlandt bought 86,000 acres of
land from the Kitchtawanc Indians and European landowners in 1697. In 1758 Pierre Van Cortlandt built the stone and brick manor house, but moved out with his family during the Revolution because of its location in the middle of a local civil war. Today, visitors learn about the people who lived and worked here, including enslaved Africans and tenant farmers.
|
|
photo: Friends of John Jay Homestead
|
|
John Jay Homestead State Historic Site
400 Route 22, Katonah, NY / WESTCHESTER 914-232-5651
Home and farm of John Jay, patriot, Founding Father, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, President of the Continental Congress, Minister to Spain, one of the principal negotiators of the Treaty of Paris, and second New York State governor. Jay's restored Georgian home has Federal period interiors.
|
|
photo: Chirag D. Shah |
|
Stony Point Battlefield
Stony Point, NY / ROCKLAND 845-786-2521
Site of the Battle of Stony Point, where the Continental Army successfully gained control of the important ferry crossing location on July 16, 1779 from the British army. Small museum with archeological artifacts; costumed interpreters demonstrate army camp life on the weekends. Also on the grounds is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River.
|
|
 |
|
Fort Clinton (Fort Arnold) at West Point
West Point, NY / ORANGE 845-938-2203
Originally named after Colonel James Clinton, Fort Clinton was renamed
Fort Arnold in 1778, after Saratoga Campaign hero General Benedict Arnold. The name reverted to Fort Clinton after Arnold defected to the British army in 1780. Briefly captured by the British in October of 1777. Only a stone base wall remains today.
|
|
photo: Palisades Parks Conservancy
|
|
Fort Montgomery State Historic Site
690 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery, NY / ORANGE 845-446-2134
The site of a fierce battle between the Continental and British armies for for control of the Hudson River on October 6, 1777. The British briefly captured and held the fort along with Fort Clinton (Arnold) and Consititution Island.
14.42 acres including several archeologically-significant sites and a trail with interpretive signs.
|
|
"West Point, New York"; oil on canvas,
Seth Eastman, 1875. |
|
Fortress West Point / USMA at West Point
West Point, NY / ORANGE 845-938-2638
West Point is oldest continuously occupied military post in the nation, and considered the most important strategic position in America at the time of the Revolution. The fortifications for West Point were designed in 1778, including Fort Putnam and Constitution Island, along with the 150-ton Great Chain, one of two which extended across the Hudson and were designed to prevent the British from gaining control of the river. Ten links of the chain can be found at Trophy Point.
|
|
 |
|
Fort Putnam at West Point
West Point, NY / ORANGE 845-938-2203
Built by Colonel Rufus Putnam in 1778 and restored in the 1970s, Fort Putnam was the most important of the various military fortifications at West Point. Spectacular views from the fort include most of West Point.
|
|
 |
|
Constitution Island / Fort Constitution
West Point, NY / ORANGE 845-446-8676
American troops held this position across the river from the main fortifications at West Point between 1775 and 1777, when they were forced to
flee the British. The Island was recaptured in 1778. The Great Chain (one of two) extended from here across the river to West Point to prevent British ships from moving up the river. The 280-acre site is open for tours leaving from West Point.
|
|
|
MID-HUDSON VALLEY
photo: Daniel Case |
|
Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site
Vails Gate, NY / ORANGE 845-561-5498
Georgian-style mansion built in 1754. Notable officers, including Generals Henry Knox, Nathanael Greene, and Horatio Gates, occupied the house several times during the Revolution. The site is also home to The Jane Colden Native Plant Sanctuary and an 18th Century grist mill.
|
|
photo: Daniel Case |
|
New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site
Vails Gate, NY / ORANGE 845-561-1765
The site of the last encampment of Washington's army between October 1782 and June 1783 which included 8,000 soldiers and their families. By late December 1782 the soldiers had constructed some 600 log huts. The cease-fire agreement of April 19, 1783 effectively ended the war, and the soldiers were sent home.
|
|
photo: Daniel Case |
|
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
84 Liberty St., Newburgh, NY / ORANGE 845-562-1195
George Washington's command center between April 1782 and August 1783; in April 1783 he ordered the ceasefire that would end the war with the British.
The 445-acre site also includes the Museum Building and the Tower of Victory.
|
|
photo: Rolf Mueller |
|
Mount Gulian Historic Site
145 Sterling St., Beacon, NY / DUTCHESS 845-831-8172
Built between 1730 and 1740 and used by Prussian Major General von Steuben as his headquarters in 1783. Von Steuben was involved in the establishment of the nation's first veterans' organization. A museum room features Revolutionary War era artifacts and a kitchen with period furnishings. Also on the site is a restored 18th C. Dutch barn and garden.
|
|
photo: Rolf Mueller |
|
Van Wyck Homestead / Wharton House
Fishkill Depot Supply Site
Routes 9 & 84, Fishkill, NY / DUTCHESS 845-896-9560
Developed on 959 acres 1732-1757, the Continental Army's Major General Israel Putnam and others used the house as a command center (the area was an important supply depot.)
|
|
 |
|
The First Reformed Church of Fishkill
1153 Main St., Fishkill, NY / DUTCHESS 845-896-9836
Built in 1731; used during the American Revolution as a
meeting place for the New York Provincial Congress between 1776 to 1777 and as a prison. Well-known for its historic cemetery which includes a number of Revolutionary War soldiers.
|
|
photo: Daniel Case |
|
John Kane House
126 E. Main St., Pawling, NY / DUTCHESS 845-855-9316
The house was Washington's headquarters between September and November of 1778. The nearby Oblong Meeting House was used as a hospital for American troops.
|
|
photo: Daniel Case |
|
Gomez Mill House
11 Mill House Rd., Marlboro, NY / ULSTER 845-236-3126
Built in 1714 by Luis Moses Gomez, it is the oldest existing Jewish home in North America. During the Revolution, it was the home of Wolvert Ackert, a descendant of early Dutch settlers, and the site of regular meetings with his anti-British neighbors. The house, mill, icehouse, and root
cellar are now accessible to the public and feature exhibits, craft
workshops, archaeological digs, and other family-friendly events.
|
|
photo: Dutchess County Historical Socity |
|
Glebe House
635 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY / DUTCHESS 845-454-0605
Built in 1767, the Reverend John Beardsley lived here, before he was forced out in 1777 due to his Loyalist views. Visitors see an excellent example of an 18th C. colonial home.
|
|
 |
|
Clinton House State Historic Site
549 Main St., Poughkeepsie, NY / DUTCHESS 845-471-1630
Dutch Colonial/Georgian stone house built in 1765 and named for Governor George Clinton; the residence of Quartermaster Udnay Hay. Now the home of the Dutchess County Historical Society.
|
|
photo: Chancellor Livingston Chapter D.A.R. |
|
General Richard and Janet Livingston Montgomery House /
Chancellor Livingston Chapter D.A.R.
77 Livingston St., Rhinebeck, NY / DUTCHESS 845-876-3867
Oldest house in the village of Rhinebeck. Montgomery, a Revolutionary War hero, was brother-in-law to Robert Livingston, who assisted Jefferson and Franklin in drafting the Declaration of Independence. Livingston also
administered the Oath of Office to President George Washington.
|
|
photo: Wally Gobetz |
|
Henry Sleight House / Wiltwyck Chapter House D.A.R.
3 Crown St., Kingston, NY / ULSTER 845-339-0366
Built sometime before 1695, damaged when the British burned Kingston, and rebuilt shortly thereafter. Henry Sleight was Head of the Village Trustees. The second floor of the home was also used by The Ulster Plebian newspaper editor John Tappen as a print shop.
|
|
photo: Joseph A. |
|
First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church
272 Wall St., Kingston, NY / ULSTER 845-338-6759
The present-day church was built in 1852 in Renaissance Revival style over its own ancient burial grounds; the original structure dated from 1679. The building was burned by the British in 1777 along with the rest of the village. General George Clinton and some seventy Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in the churchyard.
|
|
photo: Wally Gobetz |
|
The Senate House State Historic Site
296 Fair St., Kingston, NY / ULSTER 845-338-2786
The meeting place for the first Senate of New York State in 1777 where the State's Constitution was adopted on April 20, 1777. The delegates were forced to flee when British Major General John Vaughan burned the village in October. Now open to visitors and furnished in the style of the early Revolutionary period.
|
|
UPPER HUDSON VALLEY |
photo: Paul Lowry |
|
Robert Jenkins House /
D.A.R. Chapter House, Library, and Museum
113 Warren St. Hudson, NY / COLUMBIA 518-828-9764
Maintained by The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), this was the home of Robert Jenkins, son of one of the former Proprietors of the City of Hudson.
|
|
 |
|
Historic Cherry Hill
523 South Pearl St, Albany, NY / ALBANY 518-434-4791
Home of patriot Philip Van Rensselaer. Now set up as a museum, representing
the life of the family between 1857 and 1948, and the influence of socioeconomic class, gender, age, and race on life during this time.
|
|
 |
|
Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
32 Catherine St., Albany, NY / ALBANY 518-434-0834
The home of General Philip Schuyler, and visited by George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and Benjamin Franklin. Burgoyne was held here after his surrender at Saratoga in 1777.
|
|
photo: National Scenic Byways Program |
|
Peebles Island (Haver Island)
Delaware Ave., Waterford, NY / SARATOGA 518-237-8643
Koscuiszko, the military engineer who designed the fortifications at West Point, built three earthwork batteries here in August 1777. The site was never
tested , as Burgoyne's advance to Albany was halted at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777. The remains of the earthworks are still visible at the 138-acre state park.
|
|
 |
|
Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site
5181 Route 67, Hoosick Falls, NY / RENSSELAER 518-279-1155
Site of a battle between the British and Americans on August 16, 1777, which weakened British General John Burgoyne's army in advance of the decisive battle at Saratoga.
|
|
 |
|
Saratoga National Historical Park
648 Route 32, Stillwater, NY / SARATOGA 518-664-9821
During the Saratoga Campaign of September 19 and October 7, 1777, the Americans defeated the British. The victory was the turning point in the Revolutionary War. The park includes three separate sites: the battlefield in Stillwater, the Schuyler House and Estate, and the 155-foot Saratoga Monument marking Burgoyne's surrender to the Americans on October 17, 1777.
|
|
|
