Once a year, Constitution Island in West Point, NY turns back the hands of time to 1783 during Reenactment Weekend.  You can only get to the Island from Cold Spring during events so come early as there is usually a line to take the shuttle bus to/from the Island.  There is also limited parking at the Cold Spring Metro North parking lot so be prepared to park in town and walk to the south-end of the train station parking lot to catch the shuttle bus.  Bring the kids, wear comfortable shoes (sneakers or hiking boots if you’d like to hike around the Island’s 280 acres.)  Pack a lunch or you can purchase food on the Island.

Directions from Cold Spring: At the end of Main Street, turn left on Lunn Terrace, proceed over the bridge and turn left again into the station parking lot. Please note that the train platform is at the NORTH end of the station. Continue to the end of the parking lot. The gate to Constitution Island is located at the SOUTH end of the station. Parking is free and a shuttle bus will bring you on to the island. Reservations are not required.

The Island is most famous for the Great Chain that was placed across the Hudson during the Revolutionary War to stop the British from going up the Hudson.  225 years ago, the Hudson River Valley was the major theater of the Revolutionary War, what George Washington referred to as the “Key to Victory.” Each year through 2008, the region will observe Patriot’s Weekend to commemorate and to celebrate the War for American Independence. Patriots Weekend(III), 2008 will highlight the 225th Anniversary of the Mustering out of the Commander in Chief’s Guard in 1783, at Fort Constitution, Fortress West Point.

Want to know what else is going on in Putnam County? <click here> for the events calendar.

SATURDAY, August 23, 2008

• 10:00 A.M. Site open to public: 18th and 19th century soldiers’ camp and military activities all day
• 10:30 A.M. American Revolutionary Cannon Demonstration (Marine Battery)
• 11:00 A.M. Formation, Inspection, and Drill
• 11:30 A.M. 18th Century Music (Warner House)
• 12:30 P.M. Boat demonstration
• 1:00 P.M. Formation, Inspection. and American Revolutionary Tactical Weapons Demonstration
• 1:30 P.M. 18th Century Music (Warner House)
• 2:00 P.M. Civil War Demonstration
• 2:30 P.M. American Revolutionary Cannon Demonstration (Marine Battery)
• 3:00 P.M. Mark Morealle, speaker. “Romance Versus Reality: The Common Soldiers’ Experiences in the American Civil War”
• 3:30 P.M. Boat demonstration
• 4:30 P.M. Mustering out of the Commander in Chief’s Life Guards and Retreat

SUNDAY, August 24, 2008

• 10:00 A.M. Site open to public; 18th and 19th century soldiers’ camp and military activities all day
• 10:30 A.M. American Revolutionary Cannon Demonstration (Marine Battery)
• 11:00 A.M. Formation. Inspection. and Drill
• 11:30 A.M. 18th Century Music (Warner House)
• 12:30 P.M. Boat demonstration
• 1:00 P.M. Formation. Inspection, and American Revolutionary Tactical Weapons Demonstration
• 1:30 P.M. 18th Century Music (Warner House)
• 2:00 P.M. Civil War Demonstration
• 2:30 P.M. American Revolutionary Cannon Demonstration (Marine Battery)
• 3:00 P.M. Joe Ryan, speaker. “The American Revolutionary Soldier.”
• 3:30 P.M. Boat demonstration
• 4:00 P.M. Retreat
• 

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