Step back in time to the American Revolution! This free family-friendly outdoor festival will feature costumed reenactors, living history demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
Meet military and civilian reenactors including General George Washington (on his horse Nelson), his enslaved servant William Lee, Revolutionary War soldiers from both sides of the conflict, 18th century crafts demonstrators, and more. Enjoy live music and try your hand at 18th century country dancing, operating a cider press, making art prints, participating in Revolutionary wargaming, and playing 18th century-style children’s games. Explore the history of Philipse Manor Hall and colonial New York in the museum, and history buffs of all ages can also enjoy our special espionage activity, as you explore the grounds and meet historical people and booths of local history organizations to decipher your mission, using our special code book!
This festival coincides with Yonkers RiverFest, which features live music, vendors, and food throughout the downtown Yonkers area. Bring the family and spend the day in downtown Yonkers!
Schedule subject to change.
Carla & Keyes will demonstrate how European and African music intersected during the Colonial period with live music. Demonstrating a variety of historical instruments, period songs, and various rhythms, they will provide historical commentary on each, with some audience participation.
Join Anne and Ridley Enslow for a concert of lively 18th-century songs about the struggle for American independence. The show will include “liberty songs,” humorous ballads lampooning the British troops, and songs celebrating American victories, plus drinking songs and a dance tune or two. There will even be a song by a signer of the Declaration of Independence about the so-called Battle of the Kegs.
Harvest Festivals of the past often included dancing, and Carla & Keyes will teach audience members the basic steps of these Colonial dances. Danced in circles, squares, and lines, these period dances allowed people of the past to mix and mingle on the dance floor. No partner needed - if you can walk, you can dance!
Raise a glass to freedom,” and join us in singing to the tune of revolution! Anne and Ridley Enslow present a rousing concert of Colonial drinking songs. There will be plenty of toasts and entertaining tales. Learn about the role of rum in the American Revolution, the origins of our national anthem’s melody, the Battle of the Kegs (a real event!), and enjoy witticisms from Ben Franklin. There’s even a toast or two to King George III!
Try your hand at Graces, lawn bowling, hoop & stick, cup & ball, and many more on the back lawn, or head to the main tent to try your hand at tavern games like Shut the Box, Captain's Mistress, and more.
Join the Nowodworski Foundation for this fun art workshop using vegetables to make beautiful prints. Free for all ages, sponsored by the Nowodworski Foundation.
Join staff and volunteers from Morris-Jumel Mansion (formerly the home of Mary Philipse Morris!) as you learn how to write with a quill pen and ink like they did in the 18th century.
Take command of the Crown forces comprising the Loyalists of Beverly Robinson’s Loyal American Regiment or Delancey’s Cowboys with plenty of Redcoats and Hessians in support and take the war to the Patriots of the Hudson Valley. Your army in New York City needs supplies so capture gunpowder, crops, hay, horses, cattle and anything else that isn’t tied down!
That’s not your style? Then take up arms with the patriots to defend the Hudson Valley farming communities you call home. Command Continental Regulars, artillery, and swarms of local militia and send the henchmen of King George reeling back down to New York City. This tabletop gaming experience is appropriate for all ages and abilities and has the added benefit of being held on an actual Revolutionary War Historic Site, Philipse Manor Hall, home base to Loyalist regiments during the war. The scenario is based on actual historic raids which occurred in the communities many of us now call home but which in the 18th century was the dangerous no mans land known as Neutral Ground. Create a strategy, move your miniature armies, and roll dice to achieve victory! See you on the battlefield.
The harvest season is upon us. People are traveling around Westchester County delivering wheat to gristmills, harvesting crops, shopping, visiting friends and family, and attending festivals. This provides a distraction and the perfect cover to spy on the enemy. The officers of the British Army seem to have abandoned their headquarters at Philipse Manor Hall for the Harvest Festival. General Washington is confident in your abilities. Do you have what it takes to collect intelligence, decode messages, and deliver your results to George Washington? Find out with this special activity booklet, which will take you around Philipse Manor Hall and have you meet all kinds of historical people!
Living history interpreters and reenactors in historical dress will be stationed around Philipse Manor Hall. Ask them questions about who they are, what they're doing, and the history behind their interpretations!
General George Washington and his horse Nelson, portrayed by John Koopman III and Bear.
Washington's enslaved servant William Lee, portrayed by Quinton Castle.
Members of the Living History Company, portraying Black soldiers of the American Revolution, including the First Rhode Island Regiment, Black Loyalists, and more.
Staff from New Windsor Cantonment and Knox's Headquarters State Historic Sites, portraying the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment of the Continental Army, who will discuss the artillery's role in defending New York.
Jim Keyes and Carla Lynne Hall performing 18th century music as Carla and Keyes.
Anne and Ridley Enslow, performing 18th century music.
Cynthia Abbott Kauffman portraying Ann Fisher Miller, hostess to George Washington at the Battle of White Plains.
Sarah Wassberg Johnson of Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, portraying Loyalist Mary Philipse Morris.
Constance Kehoe portraying Mary Fish Silliman, Connecticut militia wife and diarist of the American Revolution.
Etienne Best, demonstrating historic herbal medicine.
Erik Paul, demonstrating 18th century joinery and woodworking.
Celeste Sherry, demonstrating 18th century fiber arts and spinning.
Tom Hunt, demonstrating 18th century food preservation.
Revolutionary Harvest Festival coincides with Yonkers RiverFest! Which means lots of fantastic food, beverage, and retail options just down the street, but also limited parking. The Philipse Manor Hall parking lot will be reserved for performers, but parking is available at the Warburton Garage next door.
We recommend that if you are able to take public transportation, take the Westchester County Bee Bus Line (several buses stop directly in front of Philipse Manor Hall), or Metro North to the Yonkers Station, which is just down the street. More detailed directions and public transportation information is available here.
