Yorktown Prepares for the 250th Birthday of the United States
Yorktown Landmarks Preservation Commission Presents Community Conversation
The United States is preparing for a major birthday, which means Yorktown is also preparing for this celebration. It’s called the “Semiquincentennial” of the United States – our 250th birthday!
In July of 2016, Congress passed the “United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016” in order to provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Local, state, national and international events are being planned to celebrate this momentous holiday, which will be observed in various capacities from 2021 to 2026. Within New York State, Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250) was created to develop awareness and appreciation for Westchester County’s Revolutionary-War-Era history.
On October 10, the Yorktown Landmarks Preservation Commission welcomed Constance Kehoe, Director of RW250 to the auditorium of the Shrub Oak International School – generously made available for the occasion -- to conduct a “Community Conversation” with our town leaders and members of the public. Kehoe, who is also Deputy Mayor of the Village of Irvington, New York, delivered an informative, impassioned and humorous presentation describing her involvement in this celebration as well as the methods she used to reach out to communities throughout the state. Citing the increasing economic importance of “heritage tourism” across the country, she explained some of the events-marketing planned by Revolutionary Westchester, including tours of historic routes on smartphone apps; interactive maps; battle reenactments; student projects; and print and media distributions, all of which would provide much-needed tourist dollars to Yorktown.
Those in attendance included Supervisor Ilan Gilbert, Town Board member Ed Lachterman, Former Supervisor Michael Grace, members of the Yorktown Historical Society, Landmarks Preservation Commission members and the public. Among Westchester towns, Yorktown in particular, is rich in Revolutionary War sites and stories, and audience members joined in to suggest ways that the town might participate.
Kehoe’s enthusiasm was contagious, as she discussed reaching out to communities and the various programs that have already been planned in Cortlandt, Hastings, Philipsburg Manor, and throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties. A sampling of upcoming events include a Revolutionary Trolley Tour of Historic Yonkers and Highbridge on November 9 and Revolutionary Family Day at Philipse Manor on November 16. The New York Historical Society is featuring an exhibition entitled “Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere”, an exhibition investigating the life of the patriot who was also a businessman, silversmith, printmaker and pioneering copper manufacturer.
More information on upcoming events can be found at www.RW250.org
