America 250: Discover local history in Orange County

Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site: 289 Forge Hill Road, New Windsor, NY

Gen. Henry Knox, commander of the American artillery, frequently used the house as a military headquarters, and Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates occupied the property while George Washington stayed at his headquarters in Newburgh from October 1782 until the spring 1783. From there, Gates commanded the New Windsor cantonment, where soldiers had made their winter quarters.

Tours of the house are offered at 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday during the rest of the year. Group or school tours are $5 per person.

West Point Museum: 210 New South Post Road, Highland Falls, NY

To learn about the nation’s military history, a trip to West Point is a no-brainer. The West Point Museum is the oldest federal museum with origins starting at the American Revolution. It contains exhibits detailing West Point’s history and both large and small weapons, including George Washington’s pistols. At this location, in 1778, engineers for the Continental Army designed fortifications to stop the British ships from sailing upriver, including an iron chain across the river.

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site: 374 Temple Rd. (Route 300), New Windsor, NY .

George Washington and the Continental Army spent the final winter and spring of the Revolutionary War here. Visitors may find demonstrations of musket drills and blacksmith skills, among other 18th-century activities.

This site also holds the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, inspired by Washington’s selection of a few soldiers to receive a small purple cloth Badge of Merit, honoring their service.

Visitor center exhibits are open throughout the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Costumed living history exhibits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday from mid-April to Oct. 31. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Group tours are $5 per person.

Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site: 44 Battlefield Road, Stony Point, NY

The site of Gen. Anthony Wayne’s midnight attack on the British in 1779. Sir Henry Clinton of the British forces had fortified Stony Point, and George Washington created a plan for Wayne’s attack. The continental infantry captured the fort, ending British control of the river.

The site includes a museum with battle-focused exhibits and the Stony Point Lighthouse. Occasional re-enactments spotlighting military life in the 18th century, cannon and musket firings, and cooking demonstrations.

The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site: 690 US-9W, Fort Montgomery

The Fort Montgomery State Historic Site museum displays information and artifacts about the 1777 attack of the British, Loyalist and Hessian forces on Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton.

During the attack, there was a large number of American casualties, according to the American Battlefield Trust, and the continental forces surrendered to the British, who took down both forts.

The museum also features large-scale models of the fort and the attack.

At the historic site, visitors have a view of the Hudson River from the Grand Battery, where they may find the reproduction cannon, sometimes fired by the fort’s staff. There are occasional living history demonstrations of artillery and musketry.

Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday from mid-April through October. Additional parking lot on Route 9W north of the main entrance.

Access to the fort is free; donations are welcome.

Washington’s Headquarters: 84 Liberty St., Newburgh

This building was home to Washington’s longest stay during the American Revolution. It was the first site to be publicly acquired and operated when New York opened it in 1850.

An award-winning exhibit titled “Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collection” has more than 1,300 objects. Visitors may take a tour through the Tower of Victory, though tower access may depend on weather and staffing.

The house is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday from mid-April to late October. From November to mid-April, it is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Adult tickets are $7, and student and senior tickets are $5. Children age 12 and younger are admitted for free.

Minisink Valley Historical Society: 127 West Main St. Port Jervis

The Robert Kleinstuber House is the headquarters of the society. It is located behind 1760 Fort Decker which is the historical society’s museum. Build by Frederick Haynes, the fort was burned during the attack of Tories and their allies in the Mohawk tribe led by Dartmouth-educated Mohawk Joseph Brants in 1779. It was rebuilt by Martinus Decker in 1793.

The archives of the historical society are in the upper level of the Port Jervis public library and are available by appointment.

Baird’s Tavern: 103 Main St., Warwick

The house has a working tavern on the first floor, restored interiors on the second floor and an attic. The Warwick Historical Society has maintained its historical authenticity for years.

Many historical figures visited the house, including George Washington and his wife, Martha.

Private tours are $10 a person, with a five-person minimum and a 10-person maximum. Book them online at warwickhistory.org/bairds-tavern

General John Hathorn Stone House: 21 Hathorn Road, Warwick

Constructed in 1773 by John Hathorn and his wife, Elizabeth Welling Hathorn, the Stone House was expanded in the 19th century. During the Revolutionary War, John Hathorn was colonel of the 4th Orange County Militia and a founding father of both the nation and New York state. He later served in the first New York Legislature and in the first and fourth U.S. Congress.

After passing through many hands during the next two centuries, the building became the Old Stone Inn and Restaurant in 2021.

Call 845-544-1094 to book a table from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Sterling Iron Works: 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo Park

Sterling Iron Works is responsible for forging the Hudson River Chain, barring the British Navy from moving up the Hudson and reaching West Point during the American Revolution. Some of the original chain links are displayed at the Military Academy of West Point; each weighed 140 pounds.

There are various hiking trails, with the Lakeville Ironworks Trail looping through what is left of the Lakeville iron workers community and the 1700s reconstructed furnace.

The park is open from dawn until dusk, and the Lautenberg Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day.