New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site

08/28/2026

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment: The African and Indigenous Contributions to the Continental Army's "Black Regiment": Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

On Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site will host a special free living history event focused on the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution. Rhode Island offered freedom to enslaved men in exchange for military service, making the 1st Rhode Island Regiment one of the most diverse in the Continental Army. The “Black Regiment,” as it was known, included Black, Indigenous, and white soldiers, and was briefly present at New Windsor Cantonment during the winter of 1782-83.

This family-friendly event will feature living history interpreters from the 1st Rhode Island Regiment who will share unique stories and insights into the lives of Black Revolutionary War soldiers and the 1st Rhode Island’s contributions towards American independence. Ongoing activities, including tabletop displays and camp life demonstrations, will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at New Windsor Cantonment. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment will be performing military drills at 11:15 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

At 1:00 p.m. there will be a brief introductory talk about the history of the regiment and their service during the Revolution. This will be followed by a talk with Lorén M. Spears titled, “Revolution: Impact, Diplomacy & Sovereignty,” focusing on the experiences of the Narragansett people, unfreedom, sovereignty and the lesser-known story of Indigenous service in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment will be held at 1:15 p.m. Both talks with be held in the program room of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, adjacent to the New Windsor Cantonment visitor center. Doors open at 12:30, seating is limited.

08/22/2026

Join us on September 12th for special programing!

08/19/2026

07/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who turned out for our program “One of the Wonders of the Revolution,” held on the 276th anniversary of Henry Knox’s birth. The program included a special presentation called “Equal Command” featuring the background of Henry and Lucy Knox's unique Revolutionary lives and a presentation about the Continental Army’s Artillery. A guided tour of "The Last Argument of Kings," New Windsor Cantonment's artillery exhibit was followed by a living history demonstration with cannon firing.

07/17/2026

One of the wonders of the Revolution”: Henry and Lucy Knox and the Continental Artillery: Saturday July 25, 2026: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Join us on Saturday July 25, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm for special America 250 programs focused on the Continental Artillery and Major General Henry Knox and Lucy Knox. At 1:00 PM the talk "Equal Command" will feature the background of Henry and Lucy Knox's unique Revolutionary lives. Then the program will continue with a talk on "One of the Wonders of the Revolution: Henry Knox and the Continental Artillery". This will be followed by a special guided tour of "The Last Argument of Kings," New Windsor Cantonment's artillery exhibit. The afternoon will close with an artillery demonstration with cannon firing. For reservations and more information please call (845) 562-7141 ext. 20.

Lucy Flucker, the daughter of a wealthy British official, abandoned her Loyalist family to keep Henry Knox, her rebel beau. Traveling often to spend time with Henry, their love survived the bitterly divisive Revolution and the loss of 10 of their 13 children. Henry established his reputation in the beginning of the Revolutionary War by transporting nearly 60 cannons from Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga in the dead of winter 300 miles to break the British hold on Boston. As commander of the artillery, his gun crews ably served throughout the war.

07/02/2026

INDEPENDENCE DAY 250 at the New Windsor Cantonment and Knox's Headquarters: July 4th, 2026:

The New Windsor Cantonment and Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Sites invite the public to attend free Revolutionary War programs at both sites on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Programs include military drills, live music, costumed historians, and interactive readings of the Declaration of Independence.

Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site: (289 Forge Hill Road in New Windsor, NY)
At Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site tour the 1754 Ellison House, the military command post for three generals. John and Catherine Ellison were gracious hosts to three Continental Army generals at different times during the Revolutionary War. Guided tours of Knox’s Headquarters will be offered at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 PM, 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. At 11:30 a.m., see a military drill and musket firings performed by soldiers. At 12:30 p.m. there will be a participatory reading of the Declaration of Independence led by a Continental Army Officer. From 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., enjoy a selection of 18th century music with Liaisons Plaisantes, a group of re-enactors, historians and musicians who specialize in 18th century music.

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site: (374 Temple Hill Rd New Windsor NY, 12553) New Windsor Cantonment will be open to the public from 10am-5pm and include a military drill and artillery demonstration at 2:00 PM followed by a visitor participatory reading of the Declaration of Independence. Musket firings, military medicine, and other Continental Army activities will take place throughout the day.

06/22/2026

Independence Day 250 at the New Windsor Cantonment and Knox's Headquarters: July 4th, 2026:

The New Windsor Cantonment and Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Sites invite the public to attend free Revolutionary War programs at both sites on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Programs include military drills, live music, costumed historians, and interactive readings of the Declaration of Independence.

Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site: (289 Forge Hill Road in New Windsor, NY)
At Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site tour the 1754 Ellison House, the military command post for three generals. John and Catherine Ellison were gracious hosts to three Continental Army generals at different times during the Revolutionary War. Guided tours of Knox’s Headquarters will be offered at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 PM, 3:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. At 11:30 a.m., see a military drill and musket firings performed by soldiers. At 12:30 p.m. there will be a participatory reading of the Declaration of Independence led by a Continental Army Officer. From 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., enjoy a selection of 18th century music with Liaisons Plaisantes, a group of re-enactors, historians and musicians who specialize in 18th century music.

06/10/2026

Children's Day at the New Windsor Cantonment: Father’s Day: Sunday June 21, from 1 – 4 PM:

A fun-filled day of family entertainment on Father’s Day Sunday June 21, from 1 – 4 PM, with the Two by Two Animal Sanctuary, Punch & Judy shows, and, 18th century games. The always delightful menagerie of the Two by Two Animal Sanctuary will set up for the day. Pet the gentle and friendly animals lovingly cared for by the Iannucci Family. Punch and Judy shows originated in Italy and entertained audiences for hundreds of years, including George Washington. No field day would be complete without games like blindman's bluff, field hockey and military drill with wooden muskets.

Admission is free! For more information please call (845) 562-7141 ext. 22.

05/24/2026

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th: Honor our Nation's Fallen Soldiers at the New Windsor Cantonment:

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site invites the public to join in honoring our nation’s veterans with special Memorial Day programs, including a 18th century military funeral procession to the site’s Revolutionary War Veteran's cemetery, on Monday, May 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Throughout the day, historic interpreters in 18th century dress will be conducting blacksmithing demonstrations, musket drills, 18th century medical and surgical demonstrations, and more, performed at the original encampment. At 1:30 p.m. in the Temple Building, join staff for a talk on death and mourning in the 18th century, with special focus on the American Revolution and funeral practices in the Continental Army. This program will include display of a reproduction 18th century coffin laid out in state for a fallen officer.

At 2:00 p.m., join an 18th century military funeral parade and graveside service at the site’s Revolutionary War cemetery. The ceremony will be followed by a talk on the U.S. Civil War origins of Memorial Day. At 2:30 p.m., an 18th century military drill and artillery demonstration will take place. The soldiers will fire their muskets and a cannon on the "Grand Parade," the very field where George Washington's announcement of impending peace was first read to the Army over 200 years ago.

05/10/2026

Honor our Nation's Fallen Soldiers at the New Windsor Cantonment on Memorial Day:

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site invites the public to join in honoring our nation’s veterans with special Memorial Day programs, including a 18th century military funeral procession to the site’s Revolutionary War Veteran's cemetery, on Monday, May 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Throughout the day, historic interpreters in 18th century dress will be conducting blacksmithing demonstrations, musket drills, 18th century medical and surgical demonstrations, and more, performed at the original encampment. At 1:30 p.m. in the Temple Building, join staff for a talk on death and mourning in the 18th century, with special focus on the American Revolution and funeral practices in the Continental Army. This program will include display of a reproduction 18th century coffin laid out in state for a fallen officer.

At 2:00 p.m., join an 18th century military funeral parade and graveside service at the site’s Revolutionary War cemetery. The ceremony will be followed by a talk on the U.S. Civil War origins of Memorial Day. At 2:30 p.m., an 18th century military drill and artillery demonstration will take place. The soldiers will fire their muskets and a cannon on the "Grand Parade," the very field where George Washington's announcement of impending peace was first read to the Army over 200 years ago.