What do you know about Revolutionary history in Westchester?
If the answer is not much, Constance Kehoe, president of Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250), a not-for-profit corporation honoring Westchester’s pivotal role in the American Revolution, hopes to change that. She and her staff of volunteers have a simple goal: to build awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the history that happened in the county.
The Revolutionary War, which started in 1776 and ended in 1783, was America’s first civil war and fiercely divided friends and families. During that time, the British controlled New York City while the American Continental Army, along with various militia groups, occupied the northern Hudson Highlands. In between was Westchester, an often perilous and dangerous middle known as the “Neutral Ground,” as it was caught between two armies.
With this year being America’s semiquincentennial, the spotlight is on the county which is why RW250 has a long list of activities — historical, educational and interactive — planned throughout the year as a way to get folks engaged. Residents can expect everything from tavern nights (complete with trivia, games and colonial fare) to exhibits, re-enactments and period craft demonstrations.
“People go to Boston, they go to Philly; but they don’t know that if they looked in their own backyard, they’d get a good understanding about the complexity of the war,” said Kehoe.
Case in point: “Treason of the Blackest Dye,” a new exhibit at the Irvington Historical Society which tells the story of John André, a British major traveling under a false name who was captured by three militiamen in Tarrytown in 1780. His arrest — and alliance with Benedict Arnold, a Continental Army major general who defected to the British — essentially changed the course of the war. The display, which goes until August 8, features a host of artifacts including André’s war plans, which were stashed in his boot. (Had he have been successful, it’s very likely West Point would have been conceded to the British.)
The exhibit, which also features a costume worn by actor JJ Feild who portrayed André in the period drama “Turn,” is a wealth of information, explaining the narrative of André’s foils, including information about his partner in crime (Arnold). It also showcases how the Hudson River was the prize that could allow the British to win the war.
A love for history
This is a third act for Kehoe who’s retired three times after years as both a teacher (she taught history and special education) and as the head of a sales and consulting business that catered to schools. She also spent 12 years as a trustee on the Village of Irvington board, eight of which were as deputy mayor.
The idea for starting an organization devoted solely to revolutionary Westchester history started in 2016 when then President Obama signed a law preparing for America’s 250th birthday. Kehoe recalls him asking citizens to participate and so, as a longtime history buff who was already involved in her local Irvington community, she heeded the call. After finding partners to help, she formalized the papers, officially starting her not-for-profit in 2018.
She believes hooking people in with “it happened in my backyard” mentality will hopefully get more people interested in learning about the spies, battles and everyday civilians turned heroes that are a part of Westchester’s history.
Among some of RW250 events to mark on your calendar:
For more information, go to rw250.org.
Have a community story?
Know of a person or place doing something inspiring and community-minded? Or have more semiquincentennial intel? Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: This Westchester group aims to educate about the Revolutionary War
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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