Carol Ash, Executive Director of Palisades Interstate Park Commission, complimented the dedication of the staff (some of whom stayed the previous night until 3 a.m. to have everything in readiness for the ceremony), before introducing the speakers.

Denae, Emily and Rebecca Tew of Thiells, who count the only British officer killed at the battle as one of their ancestors, sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution laid a wreath at Stony Point's war memorial in honor of both the British and Americans.

Christopher Pushkarsh, Deputy Commissioner of the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said, "I am delighted to be here, at the state's fourth-oldest state historic site, where the Hudson River and our nation are even now worth fighting for." He invited the approximately 200 visitors to join him later for a tour of the Stony Point Lighthouse.

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef was quite passionate in praise of both the British and American soldiers. He emphasized the importance of history as he told the story of the 1779 battle.

"Because of a slight misunderstanding about taxes, we went through a slightly sticky patch," diplomat Raymond Raymond from the British Consulate admitted. More seriously, he echoed Mr. Vanderhoef 's assertions of the later ongoing friendship between the two countries.

In unveiling a new map of the Hudson River Valley Revolutionary War Sites, Dr. James M. Johnson, Executive Director, Hudson River Valley Institute; and Military Historian, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, said "To understand the American Revolution, you have to come to the Hudson River Valley."

The officials, with the exception of Dr. Johnson who opted to be one of the musket firers, ceremoniously cut the ribbon to the museum. As the visitors filed in to see the exhibits, some from an archaeology dig, they were assisted in the interpretations by some of the knowledgeable re-enactors who had participated in the ceremony.

In an adjoining room there is an expanded exhibit about the Stony Point Lighthouse and some of the Lighthouse keepers.

As the visitors, some of whom had climbed to the lighthouse and admired theincomparable view of the Hudson, reluctantly returned to the 21st century, activity on the battleground increased. Groups of canvas tents were being erected to prepare for Patriot's Weekend when re-enactors would perform 18th-century military activities for three days.

On two evenings there were Recreations of the Battle of Stony Point by 250 members of the Brigade of the American Revolution.

For more information about visits to the Stony Point Battlefield, call (845) 786-2521.