NEW WINDSOR – While excitement over our nation’s sesquicentennial has sparked celebrations across the country, the early days of the United States of America are always front and center in the Hudson Valley.
Home to key battles during the Revolutionary War, state and local historic sites across the region tell the stories of our nation’s beginnings.
From spring through fall, visitors can get an authentic glimpse of where General George Washington’s northern army spent their last winter and spring by visiting the New Windsor Cantonment. Most days, reenactors – workers represented by CSEA – suit up in authentic uniforms and costumes, demonstrating musket drills, blacksmithing, military medicine and other skills.
The New Windsor Cantonment is a popular spot not just for school field trips, but for any visitors to the Hudson Valley looking to learn more about local history. Also nearby is Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh, where the former president stayed while his troops were at the New Windsor Cantonment, and just further south is the United States Military Academy at West Point, home to its own share of military history.
On a recent afternoon, CSEA member James Monahan, a parks and recreation aide 4, and Liam Malloy, a parks and recreation aide 2, were suited up in the uniforms of the Light Infantry of the Continental Army. Similarly to today’s elite units in the U.S. Army, the Light Infantry were relied upon for a higher level of tactical skills that ultimately helped the Continental Army prevail.
Both Monahan and Malloy have undergraduate degrees in history and teach as their full-time jobs, but their involvement in local reenactment groups led them to these seasonal gigs. For those who haven’t learned about some of our local history connected to our country’s founding, Monahan and Malloy recommend stopping on Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the summer.
As an added bonus, a more recent addition to the New Windsor site is the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. A historic building on site, the Temple of Virtue, was where candidates were reviewed for the inspiration for the Purple Heart, the Badge of Military Merit.
– Jessica Ladlee