Revolutionary War Sites Near New York City
A Westchester History Hunt
During the Revolutionary War, Westchester County was far more dangerous, treacherous, and rife with deception than nearby British-controlled New York City. In this “Neutral Ground,” allegiances were unclear – neighbors spied on neighbors, average citizens were recruited to deliver wartime intelligence, and some even turned their farmhouses into strategic war headquarters.
Celebrate the intrigue of the Revolutionary War through a Westchester County day trip. Grab your phone and plug these five locations into your GPS, or hop on board a Metro North train, and follow the trail north. At each stop, hunt for history to connect you to the people, places and events that shaped our Revolutionary history.
Stop #1: Jacob Purdy House, 60 Park Avenue, White Plains, NY
The Jacob Purdy house twice served as General George Washington’s headquarters: in October 1776 during the Battle of White Plains and from July to September 1778. While touring Jacob Purdy House itself requires an appointment, the surrounding Jacob Purdy Park grounds are open to the public daily. Visit the park, check out this humble saltbox and enjoy the vantage point General Washington once commanded.
History Hunt: Find the National Historic Site Marker — Answer this question: How many generals met with Washington at the Jacob Purdy House to plan military strategy?
Stop #2: Miller House, 140 Virginia Road, North White Plains
This Miller House, just a short car or taxi ride away, takes you even closer to the heart of Westchester’s Revolutionary history. During the Battle of White Plains, Ann Miller, widow of Elijah Miller, lent her farmhouse to the Patriot cause and it served as Washington’s tactical base.
History Hunt: Look to the hills — Here, Washington surveyed the hills surrounding White Plains to decide where to position his troops. If you were his general, where would you position your troops?
Stop #3: Patriots’ Park, U.S. Route 9, Tarrytown
On September 23, 1780, volunteer American militiamen captured British Major John André near Tarrytown. In searching André’s boots, they found papers exposing General Benedict Arnold’s plot to surrender the fort at West Point to the British.
History Hunt: Search for spies — André was intercepted by militiamen and his conflicting stories caught their attention. What clues would you look for to unmask a spy?
Stop #4: Phillipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
Frederick Philipse III, the owner of Phillipsburg Manor during the Revolutionary War, was a Loyalist to the British crown. The estate featured a mill and trading complex owned by the Philipse family, the largest enslavers in colonial New York. Eventually, Frederick and his family were declared traitors, and the manor was confiscated in 1779 and used as collateral to raise funds for the Patriots.
History Hunt: Find the gristmill — Imagine the life of Caesar, an enslaved miller, as well as the other enslaved people who contributed to the vast wealth of the Philipse family.
In five stops you can see where the Revolutionary War played out in Westchester through the battlefields, command centers, and perilous paths tread by brave Patriots. Westchester’s 250th Revolutionary history is not just something to read about, it’s something to experience in a historic day trip for all from New York City.