June, 2001 issue

This was just one of the interesting details related by Dr. Robert Selig during a recent day-long symposium, "Interpreting American Revolutionary Sites and Stories." Held at Reid Castle at Manahattanville College, it was presented by the Lower Hudson Conference of Historical Agencies and Museums, with support from the New York State Council on the Arts in cooperation with the Institute for Archaeology and Education, Manhattanville College.

Dr. James M. Johnson, Military Historian of the Hudson Valley, outlined the programs being planned to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Revolutionary War through 2008. He said the goal is to focus on the Hudson Valley as the centerpiece of the American Revolution by recognizing the historic sites so they can be preserved for future generations. "This National Heritage Area is unique," Dr. Johnson said.

"It is all about America," he continued. "We must remember the values first tested in the American Revolution."

The historian explained the National Park Service is taking the lead in the program "'Lighting Freedom's Flame,' - on a shoe string." Plans are under way for informational kiosks, maps, brochures and living history events. On September 15, 2001, the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Harlem Heights will be appropriately recognized.

The Brigade of the American Revolution, with other groups, is organizing a host of other events and re-enactments. "They are trying to be as authentic as possible," Dr. Johnson said, "down to the threads in their uniforms." The 225th anniversary of the Battle of White Plains, and the Battle of Saratoga, which Dr. Johnson considered "the turning point of the war," will be observed.

October 6, 2002 will see the opening of Fort Montgomery, just north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Dr. Johnson told the symposium that Governor George Pataki has committed a million dollars, and promised more, to the restoration of the fort. "The potential is amazing," he said.

As 2002 will also be the Bicentennial of West Point, the United States Military Academy, plans are being made to combine the two major anniversaries with a "big event" at the academy. The possibility of a tall ship extravaganza under the auspices of the National Maritime Historical Society is also being considered. "It will take a lot of dollars and coordination," Dr. Johnson said.

In introducing the keynote speaker, Dr. Selig, Dr. Johnson described the nine-state, approximately 629-mile, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route being studied and mapped. "It may become a National Historic Trail or National Scenic Byway, or both," he said. "Imagine driving from Newport to Yorktown and listening to the interpretation."

Dr. Johnson explained Dr. Selig, who he described as the leading expert in the world on the American Revolution, has completed an historical study in Connecticut and expects a guide book of that state to be published soon. He has almost completed a similar study, about three inches thick, for New York state.

Dr. Selig gave a brief synopsis of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. "The shots heard around the world from Lexington and Concord may have started the war," he said. "But the event at Bunker Hill was won by revolutionary fervor. America was not ready to take on the British Empire."

The Americans looked to France, Britain's enemy, for help. The decision to assist was made in Versailles, and the French General Rochambeau arrived in Newport, with four regiments, on July 11, 1780. On May 22, 1781, Rochambeau and General George Washington met in Wethersfield, Connecticut and Washington wrote in his diary, "Fixed upon plan for campaign today."

The plan was to threaten the British stronghold in New York City, a dark spot for General Washington. In order to carry out that plan, it was obvious it would be necessary to have the support of the navy. Dr. Selig pointed out that while Washington had to consider the political and military strategy, Rochambeau only had to take the military planning into account.

On July 1, 1781, the French troops marched into New York State for the first time and camped in Bedford. Dr. Selig has used every available primary and secondary resource to identify the existing sites and structures connected to the march of the French and American armies through the state, including Washington's papers which may be found on the Web site of the Library of Congress. He included buildings, plaques, tombstones and grave markers, and camp sites.

"There are 49 sites in Connecticut," Dr. Selig said, "and 42 in New York. But only five of the New York ones are marked to indicate the French march." They are near the Bedford Elementary School, Northern Westchester Hospital, Smith's Tavern, St. Peter's Church and Kings Ferry.

The two armies camped together in Philipsburg (now Greenburgh) in the summer of 1781 - an event which Dr. Selig described as a logistic and probably sanitary nightmare. Then plans were changed to cross the Hudson River at Kings Ferry and march toward the Chesapeake Bay, where the French navy could support the military.

Dr. Selig noted that the French army consisted of about 5,000 men with artillery and they also had a navy. The Americans numbered perhaps 4,000 in all. "So who was the leader-Washington or Rochambeau?" the historian asked. He continued, "I have to tip my hat to Rochambeau, who deferred to Washington, even though he had 35 years of experience."

The speaker said the purpose of his study is to connect the findings and bring more people to the beautiful sites. He suggested marking the sites to identify their connection with the Revolutionary War, "so people know they are standing on history."

Dr. Selig also advised, "Protect the sites while you still can." He considered the open space/camp sites particularly important and that politically the time is right. "Anniversary times are good for preservation," he explained.

Other important points were to spruce up and connect the sites, "Because that is what the Revolutionary War Route is all about -- how to get from one site to another." Dr. Selig mentioned the economic value of Heritage Tourism in a National Heritage Area and the idea of changing the way tourists see New York. "It is more than Broadway," he said.

Dr. Johnson wrapped up the morning by noting that the New York State marker program has not been funded since 1962. However, he said, markers are available from the same company for approximately $550 each. He observed that an archaeological survey report is due shortly and suggestions have been made to link similar historic trails such as the Andre Treason Trail and the Sybil Luddington Trail.

During the afternoon, Tema Harnik, Administrator of the Lower Hudson Conference, introduced speakers who described case studies from museums and historic sites that are engaged in interpreting a diverse variety of revolutionary sites and stories.

They included Brother Harry Dunkak of St. Paul's National Historic Site in Mount Vernon; Robert Stackpole, Co-Chair Greenburgh Greenway Committee Rochambeau's Headquarters (Odell House); Lisa Sita, New York Historical Society; K. Melanie Edwards and Savonna Bailey-McClain, Battle of Harlem Heights project; Allan Gilbert, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Fordham University, Rose Hill project; and Karen Heroy, Manager, Hudson Valley Tourism Development Council.