Many New Yorkers are familiar with the tale of Sybil Ludington, the teenaged daughter of a Revolutionary War colonel who, as the story goes, braved the night to warn her father’s men that British forces had attacked a Connecticut supply depot vital to Washington’s army and local militias.
According to legend, Sybil made the 40-mile ride on horseback through Putnam County on April 26, 1777. The rest is history.
These days, Putnam kids around Sybil’s age study the Revolutionary War that once happened in their backyard.
At Carmel High School, Robert Buccheri teaches a semester-long Revolutionary War elective that includes emphasis on local history: the Battle of Ridgefield, the Ludingtons, and a Dutchess County militia. He wants it to serve as “living history.”
Students are sometimes taken out of the classroom to set up an 18th century camp or build 18th century fortifications.
The course, typically offered in the fall, includes broader topics such as the 13 colonies, the French and Indian War, as well as the causes of the Revolutionary War.
In teaching Sybil Ludington, Buccheri said she is a local hero in Carmel and students usually already know something about her when they get to his class.
Considering there is heated debate surrounding whether Sybil’s ride really did occur, Buccheri noted that “there is no primary source documentation. There’s nobody that said she did it at that time. It’s really more (family accounts).”
“We feel that it does make sense — we know that (Col. Henry Ludington) had his farm near what today is [a pizzeria]. We know that the mill was there and we know that Henry couldn’t go out there and get these guys mustered in, so it is a logical thing.”
History ‘at your doorstep’
Buccheri is working in conjunction with a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter on a short documentary about Sybil, with several students and teachers involved. And Putnam County will host “Putnam County Heroes Battle the Redcoats” on June 6 at the county’s Veterans Memorial Park to highlight Putnam residents’ contributions, he said. Sybil Ludington will be one of the highlights.
Buccheri has been part of weekend Revolutionary War re-enactments for some 25 years, and this year — the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary — means quite the calendar. He’s participated in sizable Battle of Ridgefield re-enactments in which the action proceeded down the town’s Main Street.”One of the most important things is that history happened at your doorstep,” Buccheri said of a message to his students. “It happened here and also the fact that it’s not just about important people, it’s also everyday people. Ordinary people are capable of being a part of something, a part of history. And they may even make history.”
Revolutionary War history events in Putnam County
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Putnam County is hosting and promoting several local events to celebrate. What follows is a sampling. To see more events, go to putnamcountyny.gov/rev250.
Putnam County in the American Revolution
When: Noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 7
Where: Mahopac Public Library, 668 Route 6, Mahopac
More info: putnamcountyny.gov/rev250
The Revolution Begins: A read through Part 1 of Sybil Rides the Musical
When: 2 p.m. April 12
Where: Patterson Baptist Church, 595 Route 311, Patterson
More info: putnamcountyny.gov/rev250
Sybil Ludington 50K Race and Relay
When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 26
Where: 32 Gleneida Ave., Carmel
More info and sign up: runsignup.com/Race/NY/Carmel/SybilLudington50KRaceAndRelay
‘Putnam County Heroes Battle the Redcoats’ reenactment
When: Starts at 8:30 a.m. June 6
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel Hamlet
More information: 5thny.org/event-details/2026-putnam-county-rev-war-day
(This story was updated to correct that Sybil Ludington’s father was a colonel, not a general.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How the Revolution, and Sybil Ludington’s ride, are taught in Carmel
Reporting by Michael P. McKinney, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
