Dating from the days of the early Dutch settlers, who were drawn to the area in the 1600s by Henry Hudson's explorations up the Hudson River, the Historic River Towns of Westchester offer visitors a glimpse into this country's past unlike any other area of the United States. In the 1800s and early 1900s, as railroads and canals made the Hudson Valley a major link to the rest of the country, families such as the Rockefellers made their homes here. And the area's beauty continued to draw other famous residents, such as renowned author Washington Irving. So take a trip back in time by visiting one of the many historic attractions found in the Historic River Towns of Westchester.

Peekskill
Peekskill Museum
Clothing from the 18th through 20th century, furnishings, decorative arts, tools and products from local foundries are all found here. Lectures and a gift shop are also featured. Open 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, March through December. Also by appointment. Donation.
124 Union Ave. (914) 737-6130.
http://www.peekskillmuseum.com

Cortlandt
Cortlandt Heritage Museum
Explore the region's rich history in this new museum located in the building which first served as Cortlandt's town hall and jail. The museum will be open from 1-3 p.m. on the second Saturday and third Sunday of each month as well as from 7-9 p.m. the fourth Wednesday. Donation.
137 7th Street, Verplanck. (914) 734-1110.
http://www.cortlandt.advinc.com /museum/

Croton-on-Hudson
Van Cortlandt Manor
This 18th and 19th century estate is known for its elegant antique furnishings and gardens and was home of the Van Cortlandt family, prominent in New York state politics. Tours, special events and demonstrations are offered. Located just off Route 9, the estate is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Tuesdays), April through December; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, January through March. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. Admission.
South Riverside Avenue. (914) 631-8200.
http://www.hudsonvalley.org

Ossining
Ossining Heritage Center
Exhibits focus on the Old Croton Aqueduct and Sing Sing prison. Replicas of an aqueduct section, three prison cells and the Sing Sing electric chair. Audiovisual presentation about the prison today. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Free.
95 Broadway. (914) 941-3189.

Ossining Historical Museum
19th and 20th century decorative arts, costumes and Indian artifacts, as well as a Victorian dollhouse. The program features both permanent and rotating exhibits. Open 2-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and by appointment. Donation.
196 Croton Ave. (914) 941-0001.

Sleepy Hollow
Philipsburg Manor, Upper Mills
This early 18th century farm was owned by the Philipse family and includes a fully furnished Dutch-style manor house, barn and a restored gristmill, gardens, reception center, giftshop and orientation film. Special events are scheduled throughout the year. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through December; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, January through March; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Admission.
Route 9. (914) 631-8200.
http://www.hudsonvalley.org

Union Church of Pocantico Hills
Works of Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse, two modern-day masters, are featured in the spectacular stained glass windows at this beautiful church, built by the Rockefeller family in the early 20th century. The building boasts the only cycle of church windows created by Chagall in the United States. Open 1-4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday from 2-5 p.m., April through December. Groups may schedule special appointments for tours. Donation.
Route 448 (Bedford Road) off Route 9. (914) 631-8200.
http://www.hudsonvalley.org

Kykuit
This house and gardens was the home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Tours include the house, gardens and coach barn and are available with advance reservations. Kykuit is open from April to November. Admission.
Pocantico Hills. (914) 631-9491.
http://www.hudsonvalley.org

1883 Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow
Open by appointment and on selected weekends, this lighthouse was built in 1883 and began operation in 1883 off the shores of Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. Call to make appointments for tours. (914) 631-1440
http://www.co.westchester.ny.us/parks/kingslan.htm

Tarrytown
Sunnyside
Author Washington Irving once occupied this 1835 Romantic/Dutch Colonial Revival style estate, featuring a fully furnished and restored house, icehouse, gardens and wooded footpaths. Tours, an orientation film, demonstrations and a gift shop are featured on the estate, located just off Route 9. Special events are often held at this picturesque location, so watch the calendar of events for Historic River Towns. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, April through December; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from January through March. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days. Admission.
West Sunnyside Lane. (914) 631-8200.
http://www.hudsonvalley.org

Lyndhurst
This 1838 Gothic Revival mansion was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis for William Paulding, a two-term mayor of New York, and owned after 1880 by railroad magnate Jay Gould. The mansion, located just off Route 9, features 19th and 20th century decorative arts, furnishings and toys. The museum is a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Tours, educational programs and a gift shop are all offered. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, April 15 through October. The Carriage House Cafe is open for dining from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, April through October. Open weekends only, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. November through April 15. Admission.
635 S. Broadway. (914) 631-4481.
http://www.nthp.org/main/sites/lyndhurst.htm

The Historical Society, Serving Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow
A history museum that features: native American artifacts; items from the area's early Dutch settlers; Revolutionary War artifacts, featuring a display on the capture of British Major John Andre, the soldier who obtained the plans for West Point from spy Benedict Arnold; a display on American writer Washington Irving, who lived in Tarrytown and made that area, which he dubbed "Sleepy Hollow" and the entire Hudson Valley famous through his works; firearms; jewelry; clothing; and items from World War I and II. Guided tours and lectures are offered. Hours are 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
1 Grove St. (914) 631-8374.

Hastings-on-Hudson
Jasper F. Cropsey Home and Studio
Former home and studio of Hudson River School artist Jasper Cropsey. Features an art collection from the famed school of painting. Open April through November from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. Free.
49 Washington Ave. (914) 478-1372.

Yonkers
Hudson River Museum
The Hudson River Museum is a cultural complex which includes the historic Glenview mansion, The Andrus Planetarium and modern gallery space which displays changing exhibitions from its permanent collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century American art and from other museums.
The Museum's specialty is combining the elements of art, history and science on a given subject. The modern wing of the Museum also houses The Red Grooms Gift Shop, a permanent installation done by Pop Artist Red Grooms and the Museum Cafe which overlooks the river and serves light fare. The Museum offers weekly Sunday Family Programs and workshops for families, bi-weekly Seniors and the Arts programs, docent led tours by appointment and many special events.
Museum hours are: Oct-Apr: Wed-Sun 12-5 p.m.; May-Sep: Wed-Sun 12-5 p.m., Fri 12-9 p.m. Museum admission is $3/Adults, $1.50/Children 12 & under & seniors, and free/Members. Planetarium admission is $4/Adults, $2/Children 12 & under & seniors, Free/Star Family members and above. Discounts for groups and special Museum/Planetarium admission packages are available. Guided tours of the galleries are available by appointment.
511 Warburton Ave. (914) 963-4550.
http://www.hrm.org

Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
This Georgian Style mansion was originally the manor house of Philipsburg Manor from the 1680s to the 1780s. Contains an outstanding portrait collection. Special events, concerts and lecture series are scheduled here, so watch the Historic River Towns calendar for more information. Open April through October, Wednesday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 1-4 p.m. or year round by appointment. Closed all holidays and holiday weekends. Free.
Warburton & Dock Streets. (914) 965-4027.

Beczak Environmental Education Center
Located in a riverfront park near the Yonkers train station, the Beczak Center has its own beach and provides interactive exhibits and workshops on the ecology, culture and history of the Hudson River tidal estuary. Open Monday-Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, with occasional weekend programs. Call ahead for schedule.
35 Alexander St. (914) 377-1900
www.beczak.org