June 28, 2025-Philipse Manor Hall-29 Warburton Ave. Yonkers, NY 10701
Meet the Women of Revolutionary Westchester: A Living History Family Day
Saturday, June 28, 2025
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Free for everyone
During the Revolutionary War, Westchester County was known as “The Neutral Zone,” a war-torn area where ordinary people struggled to get by while armies, militias, and vigilantes clashed in their backyards. The war was especially hard for women on both sides of the conflict. Join us for this special outdoor living history family day. Interact with the women of revolutionary Westchester, from those doing ordinary tasks like spinning, weaving and cooking, to camp followers caring for the troops with herbal medicines, to women who joined the military in disguise. In the outdoor tent experience the performances of Peggy Shippen who was married to traitor Benedict Arnold, wealthy loyalist Mary Philipse, an enslaved and then manumitted woman named Liss, and Phoebe Ward who was a mother caught between two armies. History At Play’s award-winning performance, A Revolution of her Own! explores the life of Continental soldier Deborah Sampson. Learn more from area cultural and heritage organizations highlighting the histories of diverse women with connections to revolutionary Westchester County. Enjoy live period music, dancing, 18th century hands-on crafting and demonstrations, period games, and more as you mingle and converse with the costumed performers.
In partnership with Revolutionary Westchester 250.
Sponsored by the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Westchester County Government.
Performance Schedule:
Performances will take place under the big tent on the front lawn. Schedule subject to change.
12:00 PM – Event Opens: live music, opening remarks
12:30 PM – Meet Mary Philipse Morris
1:00 PM – Meet Deborah Sampson – “A Revolution of Her Own!”
2:00 PM – Live Music
2:30 PM – Meet Liss & Robert Townsend
3:00 PM – Meet Peggy Shippen
3:30 PM – Meet Phebe Ward
4:00 PM – Live Music
5:00 PM – Program closes
Meet the Women:
Deborah Sampson
Portrayed by Judith Kalaora
Former indentured servant Deborah Sampson disguises herself as a man to enlist in the Continental Army.
Mary Philipse Morris
Portrayed by Sarah Wassberg Johnson, Philipse Manor Hall
Mary Philipse was once the wealthiest heiress in the New York Colony and reportedly turned down a proposal from George Washington. Now she has been forced to leave her beautiful white house on the hill in Manhattan – Mount Morris – and is staying with her brother Frederick Philipse III at her childhood home – Philipse Manor Hall. As Loyalists, they have been targeted by the Patriots.
Liss (& Robert Townsend)
Portrayed by Carla Lynne Hall & Jim Keyes
Enslaved by the Townsend family, Liss found herself caught between the occupying British army and her Patriot enslavers. Was she working as a spy?
Peggy Shippen/Margaret Arnold
Portrayed by Char Weigel, Revolutionary Westchester 250
As a young woman, Peggy Shippen helped her husband Benedict Arnold escape arrest for treason. Over a decade later, what is her life like?
Phebe Ward
Portrayed by Jennie Steinhagen
Eastchester resident and sister-in-law of town supervisor and staunch patriot Stephen Ward, Phebe’s absent Loyalist husband caused problems for her in a predominantly Patriot town.
Demonstrators:
Leslie Bramlett & Etienne Best, Living History Company
Demonstrating the lives of army camp followers and herbal medicine
Cynthia Abbott Kaufmann as Ann Fisher Miller
Demonstrating everyday lives of colonial women and Westchester Patriot Ann Fisher Miller in particular
Celeste Sherry
Demonstrating 18th century fiber arts
