Titicus Tea Party !
No tea was thrown overboard, but revolutionaries Lauren Rosasco and Jen Gileno threw a first class tea party for children of all ages. Guests made candy tea cups, bookmarks, note cards, and their own blend of tea – from chamomile, peppermint and raspberry to blue violet and red clover. Scones and other goodies were homemade. The display of china is from the Close family’s early 19th century Old Hundred Tea House that once was on the corner where the NS Post Office now stands.
We had a full house....thank you!
On Friday, March 21, at the North Salem Community Center, Dr. Iris de Rode, a Dutch historian specializing in the French contribution to the American Revolution, shared the extraordinary story of Rochambeau's army and their pivotal role in our path to victory. Drawing from a rich trove of her research of previously unpublished materials, Iris introduced us to the Marquis de Chastellux and explored how our French allies viewed America, collaborated with the American army and helped achieve victory in the fight for independence.
Earlier in the day, Iris visited the school and met with seventh and eleventh graders.
For those who missed the evening presentation, there will be a showing of the video at the Community Center. Watch this page for date and time.
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
Sunday, October 5, 2025, 3:00pm at Ruth Keeler Memorial Library: Revolutionary War Maps! What They Tell Us about Then and Now - an informal discussion and map display with Robert Treadway, Susie Thompson and Cynthia Curtis
Sunday, November 9, 2025, 3:00pm at 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
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 3:00pm at Ruth Keeler Memorial Library Author talk by Keith Marshall Jones III The Battle of Ridgefield – Benedict Arnold, the Patriot Militia and the surprising 1777 Battle that Galvanized Revolutionary Connecticut
Things to do elsewhere
May 17 and 18, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Rochambeau Park / Yorktown Grange Fair Grounds, 99 Moseman Road, Yorktown Heights: Third-Annual Rochambeau Festival. Learn about events that shaped our Nation’s history right here in Westchester County!
Coming to PBS in November: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, directed by Ken Burns, a documentary series that explores the country’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. It premieres on Sunday, November 16 and will air for six nights through Friday, November 21st, 8:00-10:00pm. The series will be available to stream beginning Sunday, November 16 at PBS.org and on the PBS App.
In the works
Monday, May 26, 2025, 10:00am, Memorial Day Parade
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
Monday, May 25, 2026, 10:00am, 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!
* 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
