The villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown will mark America’s Semiquincentennial by turning a divided Revolutionary War past into a day of reconciliation and community commemoration. Presented in partnership with Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250), the free event on Sunday, November 1 will feature living-history performances, period music, 18th-century crafts, food, and activities for all ages.
The public event kicks off at noon at Sleepy Hollow’s Riverwalk Park with a symbolic landing of the Redcoats, including Benedict Arnold and British Major John André, portrayed by living history interpreters. They will be greeted by the Sleepy Hollow High School Marching Band, an American Continental Army unit of local students, and other living history interpreters. Following a Reconciliation Ceremony, participants will process down Riverwalk to Tarrytown’s Pierson Park for an afternoon of historical immersion, dedication of two commemorative community quilts, and a finale featuring a community-wide singing of the National Anthem.
Bridging a Divided Past
Two hundred and fifty years ago, the close-knit farming community that encompassed what are now the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown was torn apart by the Revolutionary War — a conflict that divided neighbors and families. It was on the border between both villages that one of the war’s most famous events occurred in 1780 — the capture of British Major John André that exposed Benedict Arnold’s treason and thwarted a planned British attack on West Point.
“We will start our commemoration with a Reconciliation Ceremony to remind us that families and neighbors, both loyalists and patriots, found a way to unite after that bitter war. They worked together to rebuild their lives,” said Village of Sleepy Hollow Mayor Marjorie Hsu. Village of Tarrytown Mayor Karen Brown added, “Our two villages chose to commemorate the 250th together, underscoring the theme of unity and highlighting the supportive and inclusive community that we share today.”
Event Highlights & Schedule
- Noon – Landing & Reconciliation (Sleepy Hollow’s Riverwalk Park and Westward Drive): Redcoats land at the new boating pier along the Riverwalk in Sleepy Hollow escorted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary District 1 SR Division 6 Flotilla 6. A Reconciliation Ceremony follows immediately on nearby Westward Drive at Edge on Hudson. Community members and living history interpreters then process down Riverwalk to Tarrytown’s Pierson Park led by Sleepy Hollow High School students portraying André’s captors: John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart.
- 1 p.m. – Quilt Dedication Ceremony (Tarrytown’s Pierson Park): Unveiling of two commemorative quilts handcrafted by village residents and community organizations with scenes depicting the history of both villages and hopes for the future. Each quilt is bordered by 250 hearts, hand-stitched by children and residents of the villages. The quilts will hang permanently in each village hall.
- 1–4 p.m. – Afternoon Activities (Tarrytown’s Pierson Park): Features Music of Africa and the Colonies, historical play performances (Rendezvous with Treason and Mrs. Arnold Would Like a Word), live oxen demonstrations, a colonial forge, musket firings, crafters, community organizations offering children’s activities, and local food trucks. Living history interpreters include George Washington, the 5th New York Regiment, the Rhode Island Regiment, Anne Fisher Miller and other women of the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold, Margaret Shippen Arnold, John André, and more.
- Beginning at 3:50 p.m. – Finale (Tarrytown’s Pierson Park): A community-wide singing of the National Anthem led by Sleepy Hollow High School singers and Marching Band.
RW250 President Constance M. Kehoe said, “We are proud to sponsor the Living History Education Foundation, which will offer up to 30 local students the opportunity to learn to pitch tents, drill as a colonial militia, and serve as honor guards throughout the day.” Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, said, “The experiential nature of this event reinforces our work to engage students actively in local and American history. Our district serves both villages, and we are excited to see our students playing so many pivotal roles in this commemoration.”
Logistics & Weather
- Parking: Available on local streets, Horan’s Landing Park in Sleepy Hollow, behind Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, and the Tarrytown train station lots (free on Sundays).
- Inclement Weather: In the event of bad weather, activities will move indoors with an abbreviated schedule to the Kusel Auditorium at Sleepy Hollow High School (210 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591). If necessary, this change of venue will be posted on bit.ly/TarrytownSleepyHollow250 and the websites of the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Village of Tarrytown.
