With State legislators, local lawmakers and Miller House advocates, Westchester County Executive George Latimer recently announced the county’s plans to refurbish and upgrade the historic Elijah Miller House site in North White Plains. The house was used during the Revolutionary War by General George Washington as a headquarters command post during the Battle of White Plains.
Before falling into a state of disrepair, the site had been used as a public museum.
The nearly $2 million plans will provide for needed repairs to the house, as well as the construction of a new visitors’ center for students and residents to learn more about the historic site. After years of uncertainty, the plans announced serve as the blueprint to completing the work needed for generations to come to enjoy and learn from all the property has to offer.
Site upgrades to the existing property include general site work to the structures of the house,; thermal, plumbing and electrical work; improved road access for school buses attending the site; and upgrades to the home’s electrical systems.
The new visitors’ center – with improved access for school buses full of eager students – will serve as an educational annex fostering deeper understanding of the site’s historic value by Westchester residents.
“The Elijah Miller House is a piece of history right in our backyard,” said Latimer. “Since day one of my administration, I have made it a goal to bring this piece of history back to life and I am proud to say we are going to get that done. As I said in my State of the County address, I am eagerly awaiting the day I can stand in the newly constructed visitors’ center and watch local school children’s faces as they learn of what took place on the ground they are standing on.”
Assemblyman David Buchwald helped secure $250,000 of state money for the soon-to-be constructed educational site. “Preserving the Miller House has been a collaborative project and one I’ve been pleased to be a part of,” he said. “The Miller House restoration work and visitor’s center will provide area school children with the opportunity to experience, hands-on, our exciting local history.”
Westchester County Attorney John Nonna added: “This announcement is long overdue, dating back to my time as a legislator on the County Board when I fought for funding for restoration of the Miller House. It’s a great pleasure to work cooperatively with our colleagues in local government to see this project through to its final stages.”
County Legislator Margaret Cunzio called the Miller House is an incredible physical connection to the nation’s history. “We are grateful that it has survived until today,” she said. “As an educator I am very proud to be a part of the plan to save this historical site. My hope is that many years from now, after my service on the Board of Legislators has ended, people will still be visiting the Miller House to connect with our nation’s history. As stewards of this property we must continue to maintain the Miller House not just for the current residents, but for future generations. This is a project that I have worked on since taking office – and I am happy the project is moving forward.”
Town of North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro added: “The Town of North Castle anxiously looks forward to the restoration of this national historic treasure so it can once again be enjoyed and cherished by all. Restoring the Elijah Miller House – Washington Headquarters, will re-establish and support the education and enrichment of children everywhere in defining the significance of the American Revolution in the birth of American Freedom. We thank the countless volunteers, and the past and present town, county and state leaders for making this possible.”
Town of North Castle Co-Town Historian and representative of Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy, Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters, Town of North Castle Elijah Miller House Committee and The North Castle Historical Society Sharon Tomback commented: “Great decisions concerning the future of our country were made in this little farm house, the Elijah and Ann Miller House – George Washington’s Headquarters. For the past eight years we have repeatedly said it was time for another great decision. We are delighted to say, ‘Thank you, County Executive George Latimer, for making the great decision to restore Miller House.’”
Elijah Miller and his two sons, John and Elijah, died in 1776 serving in the Revolution. Widow Ann Miller opened her home to Gen. Washington for one of his headquarters. Several generations of the Miller Family continued to live in the house. An historic treasure dating back to 1738, this house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, New York State Register of Historic Places, and Westchester County Inventory of Historic Places. The site is also a Town of North Castle Landmark.
