The British are coming! And the French…and Patriots and Loyalists, heroes and turncoats, daring, courage, heartache, hunger….   

It’s time to think about what happened in North Salem 250 years ago.

The RNS250 committee was formed in 2023 to create and design programs to showcase those who transformed British colonies into an independent nation and to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.  In December 2023 the Town Board issued a proclamation* in support of the committee’s efforts and the town’s role in the war.  The Committee meets regularly to develop on-topic programs regarding the town’s fascinating role in Revolutionary War, beginning with the July 2024 presentation of Sean Grady’s captivating A Life of a North Salem Soldier in the Militia in 1774" at the Historical Society (see highlights and a link to the Youtube, below).

Programs Scheduled

Postponed!  We will not be presenting this Sunday (Feb 16)  due to unpredictable weather, etc. but we will reschedule.  Stay tuned for a new day and time.   Revolutionary War Maps of North Salem:  What They Tell Us about Then and Now - an informal discussion and map display with Robert Treadway, Susie Thompson and Cynthia Curtis


March 21, 2025, 6:00 pm, North Salem Community Center:  The French are Coming:  Why, When, How, Where?  Join Dr. Iris de Rode, a Dutch historian specializing in the French contribution to the American Revolution, as she shares the extraordinary story of Rochambeau's army and their pivotal role in our path to victory. Drawing from a rich trove of unpublished materials from Rochambeau and his staff, Iris will explore how these French allies viewed America, collaborated with the American army, and helped achieve victory in the fight for independence.  Arrive at 6:00pm to enjoy a glass of French wine before the presentation at 6:30pm.  Registration is required for this free event.   Register online here Iris de Rode 

Monday, March 31, 2025, 12:00- 2:00pm, Community Center Titicus Tea Party:   Scones, biscuits,  linens, doilies and napkins.... and so much more.   Learn the historical importance of tea in colonial America, focusing on how tea became a symbol of resistance against British rule. Guests will enjoy an authentic colonial tea experience while learning about the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party and the broader tea boycott movement. Food, crafts, movies, and more! Make your own teabag!   Especially designed for children of all ages, kiddos encouraged to attend!    Register on line here Tea Party

Sunday, November 9, 2025, 3:00pm Ruth Keeler Memorial Library:  The Fighting Delavans - The amazing North Salem family that sent nine brothers to war and ended up escorting Washington into New York at the end.  John McMenimon


In the works

June 22, 2025, 4:00pm-6:00pm, Gala Event.  Do you know the North Salem building (still standing) that was framed the day of the Battle of Bunker Hill?  Although our Patriots lost the battle, they proved they were a match for the superior British Army -- further ingniting the fire of rebellion!  Watch for details coming soon.  

Fall 2025:  The Great Revolutionary War Scavenger Hunt and Quiz  - How Much do you know about your town in the Revolution?  You might win the grand prize!  To start studying for the scavenger hunt/quiz, visit the websites below, the local history section at the library or the graves of 46 of our Revolutionary War veterans in the town cemeteries.  Check out the town historian’s overview of the Revolution in Upper Salem on her page on the town website, on the Historical Society’s website or use this link:  [add link]

January 2026 tba Ruth Keeler Memorial Library or Community Center:  The Men Who Caught John Andre . Who were they and how did the capture really happen?  Robert Treadway

Memorial Day Parade

A Time Capsule created by children for children to open in 2076 -- Will cell phones be obsolete?  Will there still be toothbrushes?  Backpacks?  Books?  Facebook?  Joint program between recreation and the library.


Questions, or to suggest other ideas, please contact a member of the committee 

 

Susie Thompson, Town Historian, sthompson@northsalemny.gov  or her page on the town website:   www.northsalemny.org/historian 

  

Cynthia Curtis, Robert Treadway, Donna Taylor, North Salem Historical Society, northsalemhistoricalsociety@gmail.com,

website: www.nshs.info/ 

 

Cathleen Sulli and Jennifer Gileno, Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, website:  www.ruthkeelermemoriallibrary.org/ 

 

Lauren Rosasco, Colleen Casale, North Salem Recreation Department, website:  www.northsalemny.org/recreation 


Martin Aronchick, North Salem Town Board, website:  northsalemny.org


Adam VanDerStuyf, North Salem Superintendent of Schools, avanderstuyf@northsalemschools.org


To start studying for the scavenger hunt/quiz, visit the websites above or the town historian in Lobdell House, the local history section at the library or the graves of 46 of our Revolutionary War veterans in the town cemeteries.  And read the town historian’s overview of the Revolution in Upper Salem attached here, on her page on the town website and on the Historical Society’s website.

We're in the news!  See our opening story:  Revolutionary North Salem 250 Arrives 

UPPER SALEM IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Susan Thompson 2025 

The British are coming.  And the French.  Patriots and Loyalists, heroes and turncoats, militia,  courage, heartache, hunger… What did all this mean for our town way back then?

In the 1770s what became North Salem was composed of Upper Salem (the oblong portion of today’s town) and Stephen Delancey’s part of Cortlandt Manor (the western ¾ of today’s town). The ownership of the oblong was a bone of contention between Connecticut and New York until 1731, when the land was ceded to New York in exchange for land on Long Island Sound.  Only Upper Salem and Lower Salem (today’s Lewisboro) made up the town of Salem.  It was governed by a supervisor, Abijah Gilbert, a clerk and a constable with the focus of the annual town meetings mostly on tax collecting, fence and highway repair and overseeing the care of the poor – the major concerns of an almost entirely agrarian community.  In the town minutes, which are sparse, there is no mention of anything to do with the rising tide of Patriotism or of a movement in favor of revolt against British rule until 1775.

It wasn’t until 1784 that North Salem became a town by act of the State Legislature.  It included Upper Salem and Delancey’s part of Cortlandt Manor.  Records of – and references to – the Revolutionary War here include Upper Salem, Salem, Cortlandt, the Manor and North Salem. Those who fought in the war could not file for pensions or land grants until long after the end of the conflict, so the applications mostly say the veteran was from North Salem. To find out more and read Susie's entire story open this PDF:  RevWar

Our kickoff program at the Strawberry Festival was incredible.  

Thanks to all who endured the heat and humidity and special thanks to the North Salem Historical Society for hosting the event!

The "ice cream" on top made the strawberry shortcakes extra special

Chick's Candy Store gave us wonderful background music to enjoy

Sean Grady gave an extraordinary presentation

Our own volunteer militia!

While many of us were under the tent watching Sean Grady's extraordinary program, running inside the White Elephant was a documentary from

 Living History.  Here is the YouTube link:  The Other Side of Victory   Enjoy!

Additional Sources/Information


For information about the Revolution, North Salem’s involvement and heroes, what to read, visit the following places and sites:

 

Revolutionary Westchester 250 website     Sign up for their newsletter!

 

The Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route – NewYork  website


* A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF NORTH SALEM

TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE RNS250 COMMITTEE ENDEAVOR

Motion made by Supervisor Lucas

Seconded by Councilman Kamenstein

WHEREAS In July 2016, Congress passed the “United States Semiquincentennial Act” in order to provide for the observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which is in 2026. Local, state, national and international activities are being planned, encouraged and developed to celebrate this birthday, and

WHEREAS, in Westchester County, Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250), a charitable not-for-profit corporation, was organized to further the purpose of the Semiquincentennial Commission by providing for the observance and commemoration of the pivotal role of Westchester County in the American Revolution, the founding of the United States and related events, and

WHEREAS the people of the Town of North Salem are cognizant of the town’s role in the war for independence and wish to celebrate the contributions of its Patriot citizens as well as those of the French army and

WHEREAS a dedicated group of individuals, under the leadership of town historian Susan Thompson, and in partnership with the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, the North Salem Historical Society and the town’s Recreation Department, has come together and formed Revolutionary North Salem 250 - RNS250, and

WHEREAS RNS250 has developed an official logo for its use during the planning of programs and events for the duration of the celebration, and

WHEREAS RNS250 is developing a wide variety of events and programs including, but not limited to, talks by prominent and local historians; interactive displays of 18th century life and warfare for both children and adults, including  games, food and  dress; the role of the town as the last relatively safe haven in the county; the role of the French.   The events to take place at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, The North Salem Historical Society and the North Salem Community Center, and

WHEREAS the time frame for the events is tentatively set to begin in summer 2024 and conclude in summer 2026, and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of North Salem extends its appreciation and endorsement of the efforts of the RNS250 committee endeavor, and

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of North Salem looks forward to its potential involvement in one or more of the events that may come to fruition with support, guidance and participation.

RNS250 committee:

Susan Thompson, North Salem Town Historian Carolyn Reznick, Ruth Keeler Memorial Library

Martin Aronchick, North Salem Town Board Lauren Rosasco, North Salem Recreation Director

Colleen Casale, North Salem Recreation Assistant Cathleen Sulli, Ruth Keeler Memorial Library

Cynthia Curtis, North Salem Historical Society Donna Taylor, North Salem Historical Society

Jen Gileno, Ruth Keeler Memorial Library Robert Treadway, North Salem Historical Society


All voted in favor.  Resolution Adopted December 5, 2023