Monday, Aug 15, 2005
For Immediate Release August 15, 2005
Revolutionary War Encampment Highlights Fall Programs at National Historic Site in Westchester County
The British are coming The British are coming. A re-enacted British light infantry unit and a talk by a British scholar about the English side of the Revolutionary War highlight a three-day encampment in October that commemorates the anniversary of an important Revolutionary War battle, at St. Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mt. Vernon, New York, it has been announced. The encampment -- which runs from Thurs. Oct. 20 through Sat. Oct. 22 -- 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. 22 from 10 AM to 4 PM. It will include the re-enacted light infantry company of the English 4th Foot, which fought at Pell's Point, and a talk on the English perspective on the war by Dr. Ray Raymond of the British Consulate. It also features musket firing and militia drill, historic children's games and toys, period music and dramatizations, Revolutionary era cooking and crafts demonstrations, and additional lectures on the American Revolution. Dozens of costumed re-enactors will portray civilians, camp followers and soldiers who fought on both sides, including the Hessian (German) regiment that used St. Paul's as a hospital after the battle. General Washington is also schedule to be on hand. A special commemorative ceremony at 1 PM will be held at the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers.
In addition, on Fri. Oct. 21 at 7 PM, 18th century folk music is performed by the renowned Linda Russell & Companie, and historic St. Paul's cemetery is explored by candlelight -- refreshments served, too. School programs will be held on Thurs. and Fri., Oct. 20-21. Admission to all encampment events is free.
"Pell's Point was an important Revolutionary War battle that prevented the possible destruction of George Washington's army at a critical juncture of the war," says St. Paul's site manager David Osborn. "The encampment recalls the strategic and tactical significance of that battle, and the historical setting of 1776, through entertaining and educational programs that appeals to visitors of all ages. The British presence for the Saturday program should add an interesting twist to the annual event."
As part of the Pell's Point commemoration, St. Paul's staff leads a tour of the batttlefield, about a mile from the site, in Pelham Bay Park, on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 18. Reservations must be made in advance through the site; space is limited. Call 914-667-4116.
Concerts & Walking Tours
Concerts reflecting a variety of elements in the American musical tradition will be held in historic St. Paul's Church. These are a performance by the Bob Arthurs Jazz Quartet on Sat., Nov. 12, at 4 PM, and a Holiday concert showcasing the site's historic 1833 pipe organ, on Sun. Dec. 18, at 2 PM featuring St. Paul's' concert organist in residence Jan Piett Knijff. Refreshments follow both concerts.
Walking tours explore interesting topics in the site's history on three successive Wednesdays in September, beginning at 3:45 PM. They are Symbolism & Mourning (Sept. 14), the Earliest Stones (Sept. 21) and Revolutionary War Soldiers (Sept. 28).
"Open House New York" & Bill of Rights
The site is part of the "Open House New York" extravaganza on Sat., Oct. 8, from 11 AM to 4 PM, featuring the Church Tower Walk. Visitors receive an interpretive talk about the history of the tower, and ascend the wooden staircase in the 225-year-old steeple, leading to the 1758 bronze bell. "Here is a striking, vivid historical experience for children from age 5 and up, and, of course, for adults," says Osborn.
An educational program at St. Paul's celebrates the 214th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights, on Thursday Dec. 15, from 10 AM to Noon. In addition, a Family Holiday Program entertains and educates children on December 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 Fall 2005 programs is enclosed.)
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 NHS at 914-667-4116, or visit us on line at, http://www.nps.gov./sapa.
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Fall Program Schedule
September - December 2005
Admission to all Programs is Free
Fri., Sept., 9, 3 PM
Church Tower Walk.
Join us for an interpretive talk, and a walk up the wooden staircase in the 225-year-old Church tower, leading to the historic 1758 metal bell.
Wed., Sept. 14, 3:45 PM
Walking Tour: Symbolism and Mourning.
A walking tour of the historic cemetery, tracing the changing nature of symbolism and expressions of mourning, as revealed through the stones, over three centuries.
Wed., Sept. 21, 3:45 PM
Walking Tour: The Earliest Stones.
A walking tour of the grounds, focusing on the oldest gravestones in the yard, dating back to early 1700s.
Fri., Sept. 23, 3 PM.
Church Tower Walk
Wed., Sept. 28, 3:45 PM.
Walking Tour: Revolutionary War Soldiers.
A walking tour of the grounds, examining the lives of soldiers who fought, on both sides, in the Revolutionary War.
Sat., Oct. 8, 11 AM to 4 PM
Open House New York.
We're open on Saturday for a special program -- part of the Open House New York extravaganza. The feature event is the guided, interpretive Church Tower Walk. The historic cemetery, church, and museum are also open and available for viewing.
Tues. Oct. 18, 10 AM
Tour of Pell's Point Battlefield. A walking tour of the Split Rock Golf Course, in Pelham Bay Park, site of the Revolutionary War battle of Pell's Point. Reservations must be made in advance through St. Paul's; space is limited.
Fri., Oct. 21, 7 PM
Candlelight Tour & Historic Music Program. A candlelight tour of the historic cemetery, focusing on soldiers and civilians who lived through the American Revolution, and a performance of 18th century music by Linda Russell & Companie, in the historic Church; refreshments will be served -- part of the Battle of Pell's Point Encampment.
Sat., Oct. 22, 10 AM - 4 PM
Battle of Pell's Point Encampment. An encampment that commemorates the nearby 1776 Battle of Pell's Point. It includes lectures on the Revolution, musket firing and militia drill, wreath laying ceremony at graves of Rev. War soldiers, period music and dramatizations, Rev. War era crafts and cooking, historic children's games and toys, with dozens of costumed re-enactors. Several of the re-enactors represent the Hessian (German) regiment that used St. Paul's as a hospital following the battle, and others represent a British light infantry unit that fought at Pell's Point. Educational programs for school groups on Thurs. and Fri., Oct. 20-21.
Sat., Nov. 12, 4 PM
Jazz Concert.
A special performance in historic St. Paul's Church, by the Bob Arthurs Jazz Quartet. Refreshments served. Arrive early, at 3 PM, for a dramatic historical program about the John Jay family of New York during the era of the American Revolution.
Thurs. Dec. 15, 10 AM - Noon
Bill of Rights Program.
An educational program marking the 213th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
Sun., Dec. 18, 2 PM
Holiday Organ Concert.
A recital by Jan Piet Knijff featuring classical music on the historic 1833 pipe organ, including some traditional carols and Holiday favorites. Refreshments served following the concert. Arrive early, at 1 PM, to hear local historian and Newbridge Museum of Art education coordinator Eleanor Phillips Brackbill talk about Westchester's infamous "neutral ground" period during the American Revolution. Tues. Dec. 27 - Friday Dec. 30., 10 AM to 4 PM
Family Holiday Program.
Historic games, activities, music and demonstrations, designed for children on vacation from school, as well as parents, adults, and others.
For More Information: (914) 667-4116; www.nps.gov/sapa |
