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The United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial in 2026, marking 250 years since the original 13 colonies became a new nation with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. To commemorate this independence — and the Revolutionary War that was fought to secure it — events will be staged throughout Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley in the time leading up to the 250th anniversary.
Read on to learn more about these upcoming events (check back often, as new events will certainly be added frequently).
While no battles were fought on Dutchess soil, the county was vital to the Patriot cause. The Village of Fishkill was home to one of the largest supply depots for the Continental Army during the war. And after the burning of Kingston by the British in 1777 — in retaliation for the Patriot victory at Saratoga — Poughkeepsie served as the state capital. The Verplanck family homestead at Mount Gulian Historic Site in Beacon served as the headquarters of Patriot General Friedrich Von Steuben toward the end of the war. Interestingly, many Dutchess residents remained loyal to King George III despite the region’s strategic importance and significant contributions to the Patriots' war effort.
Click here to learn more about Dutchess County's role in the Revolutionary War and for details on the many historic sites you can visit.
Monthly events held at different Dutchess County locations
Dutchess County Historian William P. Tatum III and the Dutchess County Department of History presents this monthly series, which features fascinating historical discussion and delicious cuisine at iconic Dutchess County. These popular events cover an array of topics that span all different eras of local history. Upcoming programs include "Being German in 18th Century Northern Dutchess" on Sept. 20 at Lasting Joy Brewery in Tivoli; and "Your 1774 Shopping List: Buying and Selling in Pre-Revolutionary Dutchess County" on Nov. 13 at Foster's Coach House Tavern in Rhinebeck. Click here for details.
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Saturday, Sept. 14, 5 p.m. at Upper Landing Park, Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie became the second capital of New York State after the original capital, Kingston, was burned by the British during the Revolutionary War. Poughkeepsie was the capital in 1788 when the United States Constitution was written, and as such, the Ratification Convention for New York State, which featured such dignitaries as Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, assembled at the Poughkeepsie Courthouse and ratified the Constitution, making New York the 11th state to enter the new union. The Poughkeepsie Riverfront Partnership, in collaboration with the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum and the Poughkeepsie Public Arts Commission, presents the debut production of Albert Rosenblatt’s play “The Fateful Hour,” a thrilling recreation of the role Poughkeepsie played in the ratification of the Constitution and the creation of the Bill of Rights. The performance, directed by Roger Hendricks Simon, is free and open to the public. Rosenblatt was County Judge of Dutchess County, then served as a judge of New York’s high court, the Court of Appeals, and now teaches at NYU Law School. Simon is the Artistic Director of The Simon Studio and has several major film roles and Off-Broadway roles to his credit. Click here to learn more.
Monday, Sept. 16, 12 p.m. at the Wallace Center, FDR Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park
Sept. 16, 2024, marks the 200th anniversary of Revolutionary War Major General Lafayette’s visit to Poughkeepsie, part of what was a 13-month, late-in-life return visit by one of the most important figures in the American Revolution.
Lafayette was only 19 years old and had no prior combat experience when he volunteered to fight for the colonists' cause in the American Revolution. Recruited by Silas Deane in Paris, Lafayette accepted a commission as a major general in the Continental Army, secretly left his native France, and arrived in the colonies in June of 1777 ready to fight. He then led American troops to victory in several key battles, including the decisive triumph at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. Lafayette returned to America in 1824 at the invitation of President James Monroe. Lafayette visited each of the 24 states during his visit to America.
To commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette's visit, the Dutchess County Historical Society will present a program highlighting Lafayette's importance in American history and his relevance in America today. Following DCHS Executive Director Bill Jeffway's 30-minute presentation will be a lunch and a performance of the short play "Journeys" by D.N. Bashir. "Journeys" was inspired by, and is dedicated to, Dutchess County’s Lafayette Williams, who died serving in the U.S. Colored Troops in the American Civil War. (The USCT were Union Army regiments comprised mostly of African American soldiers). "Journeys" is based on the true story of Williams' parents, a free Black couple living in Dutchess County who named their son Lafayette shortly after that 1824 visit.
Tickets to the Lafayette event include free admission on Sept. 16 to the FDR Library's special exhibition, "Black Americans, Civil Rights and the Roosevelts." Click here to learn more.
Every Sunday in September, 12 and 2 p.m. at Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon
Along with a tour of the Verplanck family homestead and grounds, visitors to Mount Gulian will be allowed to hold and examine artifacts representing 300 years of Mount Gulian's history, which spans from the time Indigenous people inhabited the banks of the Hudson River, through the Colonial Era, the American Revolution, and the Civil War.
Mount Gulian served as the headquarters of Patriot General Friedrich Von Steuben late in the Revolutionary War in 1782-83. The location put Von Steuben close to the Fishkill Supply Depot and right across the Hudson River from Washington’s headquarters in Newburgh. At the end of the war, the Society of the Cincinnati — America’s first veterans’ fraternal organization — was formed at Mount Gulian with Von Steuben presiding. White Glove Tour participants will inspect items from the museum collection, including precious family letters; documents and artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries; English and Dutch family bibles; women’s and men’s Victorian Era clothing; military artifacts and more!
Call (845) 831-8172 or email info@mountgulian.org to book your White Glove Tour.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2 p.m. at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home, Hyde Park
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum will commemorate Constitution Day with a free showing of the film "A More Perfect Union," which tells the story of America's struggles following the Revolutionary War and the efforts made to write and ratify the Constitution. "A More Perfect Union" was shot on location at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and in other historically significant locations in Virginia. Click here to complete the required registration.
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Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. at the Town of Wappinger Town Hall
In this installment of the Wappingers Historical Society's Speaker Series, Dutchess County Historian William P. Tatum III will explain how this corner of the Hudson Valley was tied into a global marketplace of goods long before the internet age. What were Colonial-era stores like, and what products did they carry? Learn what Colonial-era stores stocked and sold, the forms of payment they accepted, and the extensive areas they served. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Click here for more details and to RSVP.
Dutchess County kicked off its multi-year commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial with RevCon 2024 on June 8 at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park. Reenactors from the Brigade of the American Revolution were on hand to demonstrate military camp life, tactics, and weapons demos and to answer questions about life in Revolutionary America. Historians discussed Dutchess County’s role in the war at the accompanying history fair.
The following organizations and historical societies participated, showcasing the many layers of Dutchess County’s revolutionary history, including the people, places, and events that tie in with the continuing themes and promises of the Revolution.
With Dutchess Tourism's Commander in Cheers program, you can raise a toast to independence with our version of George Washington, also known as "Tiny George." Hear tales told by George Washington about Dutchess County’s revolutionary endeavors through an augmented reality experience in pubs, restaurants and other locations all over the county. Learn more.
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Stay tuned for updates on more Revolutionary War-themed events!
Click here to learn about Dutchess County's role in the War for Independence. For more travel inspiration, visit our history landing page, summer landing page and event calendar.
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