Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Contact: David Osborn, 914-667-4116; dostpaul@yahoo.com
For Immediate Release June 1, 2006
National Historic Site Offers Special Programs on 2nd Saturday of Each Month for July - December
In a wide ranging program schedule that includes a Revolutionary War Encampment, ghost tales and a Jazz concert, St. Paul's Church National Historic Site, in Mt. Vernon, NY, is pleased to offer special events on the second Saturday of each month, from July - December, it has been announced. Parking and admission is free for all events.
The Encampment -- which runs from Thurs. Oct. 12 through Sat. Oct. 14 -- commemorates the Battle of Pell's Point, fought about a mile from St. Paul 's Church on October 18, 1776 . A small American brigade held off a much larger British force, helping the main body of General Washington's army to safely withdraw from northern Manhattan to Westchester County .
The public program of the encampment is scheduled for Sat. Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It features musket firing and militia drill, historic children's games and toys, period music and dramatizations, Revolutionary era cooking and crafts demonstrations, and talks on the American Revolution. Dozens of costumed re-enactors will portray civilians, camp followers and soldiers who fought on both sides, including General Washington. A special commemorative ceremony at 1 p.m. will be held at the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers.
As part of the encampment, St. Paul 's staff leads a walking tour of the Split Rock Golf Course, in Pelham Bay Park -- site of the Battle of Pell's Point -- on Wed., Oct. 18. Reservations must be made in advance; space is limited; call 914-667-4116 for details.
Second Saturday Specials
The "second Saturday specials" cover an array of themes in the site's history 340-year-old history, amplified by talks, performances, demonstrations and guided tours. These include the American Revolution (Sat., July 8) and the Colonial period (Sat., Aug 12). On Sat., Sept. 9, Westchester historian Grey Williams reveals the fascinating story behind the building of St. Paul 's Church in the 1760s.
The vibrant sounds of the Westchester Jazz Quartet fill the historic church on Sat., Nov. 11, including a salute to veterans. Additionally, County planner Jeff Williams explores the intriguing world of historic preservation in Westchester.
The historic church -- and one of the nation's oldest cemeteries -- provide a perfect backdrop for some haunting ghost tales, as told by local storyteller Stephanie Mita, beginning at 2 PM on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Summer Programs on Wednesdays
Presentations on Wednesdays exploring various aspects of the American Revolution highlight the summer program schedule. The programs focus on such broad themes as "How did the Americans Win the Revolutionary War" (July 19), "Bayonet's, Muskets Balls and Ships's Bread: The Life of a Revolutionary War Soldier (August 2). and "Caring for the Wounded during the Revolutionary War" (August 16). They also examine such specific topics as "John Glover and the American Revolution" (August 9).
Programs in the Wednesday series begin at 12:15 p.m., and include free beverages and pre-event activities for children. Scheduled outdoors at historic St. Paul 's, these events would be moved into the air-conditioned museum if required by rain, or extreme heat or humidity.
Holiday Season
Join us for a celebration of the Holiday Season, with a Christmas Organ Concert that showcases the site's historic 1833 pipe organ, on Sun. Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. featuring concert-organist-in-residence Dr. Jan Piett Knijff. Refreshments follow the concert. The same day, at 1 p.m., a talk explores the religious beliefs of the original (c. 1780s) St. Paul 's parishioners.
In addition, a Family Holiday Program entertains and educates children on vacation from school -- as well as parents, adults and others -- between Christmas and New Year's. It features historic games, activities, scavenger hunts, music and demonstrations. (The complete schedule of July - December 2006 programs is at http://www.nps.gov/sapa/pphtml/events.html.)
St. Paul 's Church National Historic Site is located at 897 So. Columbus Avenue , in Mt. Vernon , NY . It is easily accessible by the Hutchinson River Parkway (Exit 7, Boston Post Road ) and Interstate 95 ( Exit 13, Conner Street ) from Westchester County , New York City, Connecticut and northern New Jersey . The site is also convenient to public transportation from New York City . For directions and information, call St. Paul 's Church N.H.S. at 914-667-4116, or visit us on line at, http://www.nps.gov./sapa.
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