Kierra Moore as Sarah Osborn
During the American Revolution, the Hudson Valley was the site of fierce fighting between the Patriots and the British during the Revolutionary War, and Westchester County in particular was a contested “neutral zone.” How did people decide where their loyalties lay?
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, join Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, the Friends of Philipse Manor Hall, and Revolutionary Westchester 250 for “Loyalist or Patriot?” a living history talk show which explores which side historical people took during the conflict and why.
First debuted in 2023, this unique program features costumed historians portraying real people from Revolutionary era New York who come together for a no-holds-barred roundtable interview moderated by a talk show host. Our host Benjamin Thayer (portrayed by Philipse Manor Hall site manager Michael Lord) will ask the hard questions of seven historical people:
· Mary Philipse Morris, a wealthy Westchester and New York City socialite, portrayed by Sarah Wassberg Johnson, education and programs manager of Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site.
· Black Corn (Pekatawas MakataWai’U), and Algonkian man, portrayed by living historian Drew Shuptar-Rayvis.
· Lucy Bloom, a formerly enslaved woman, portrayed by Leslie Bramlett of the Old Barracks Museum and the Living History Company.
· Catherine Ellison, a wealthy Orange County merchant’s wife, portrayed by Karen Pena, Interpretive Programs Assistant at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site.
· David Humphreys, an officer and a gentleman, portrayed by Chad Johnson, Interpretive Programs Assistant at New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site.
