Revolutionary Hastings is a committee of the Hastings Historical Society, dedicated to developing new awareness of the Battle of Edgar’s Lane and its context in the American Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary Hastings Marches on Memorial Day!
Revolutionary Hastings was proud once again to march in the 2023 Hastings-on-Hudson Memorial Day Parade. It was our second year in the procession, and we were joined by BooBoo the Horse pulling the Peter Post Express, a period doctor’s wagon provided by Hastings’ own Bill Logan. And, once again we were joined by members of the Hearts of Oak Militia, playing fife and drum and adding their impeccable Revolutionary attire and accoutrements.
This year we are proud to unveil our newest addition to Revolutionary Walk, a single panel exploring the meaning and history of the Purple Heart medal, all the way from General Washington’s Badge of Military Merit to the present day.
We invite you to visit Revolutionary Walk and explore Hastings-on-Hudson’s rich history!
What Was the Battle of Edgars Lane?
The Battle of Edgar’s Lane was one of the most dramatic events in the Revolutionary War history of Westchester County and it occurred in the heart of what is now the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson. On September 30, 1778, Continental soldiers successfully ambushed a patrol of British-allied Hessian soldiers along the stretch of road that is now Broadway near Edgars Lane. As many as 500 men fought that day, with 15 to 16 Hessian dead, as well as possibly one Continental fatality. Despite the significance of this military success during a dark time in Westchester, the site of this battle in the center of our village is currently indicated by two small markers created in the 1930s.
Battle of Edgar’s Lane Reënactment, Draper Park, 1998
DAR Monument currently on site of Battle of Edgar’s Lane
Don Troiani determining vantage point for his 2018 painting, Ambush at Westchester
Our Goals are Threefold:
A Commemoration Walk
Our immediate goal was the design, fabrication and installation of a permanent landscaped installation: Revolutionary Walk: Exploring the Battle of Edgar’s Lane. Located close to the battle site, within Wagner Plaza at Broadway and Warburton Avenue, the installation features six interpretive panels laid out to offer written and illustrated content describing the context and details of the Battle.
New Educational Opportunities for Our Schools
In conjunction with Revolutionary Walk, we will explore possibilities for local school districts to focus on this remarkable episode in the history of the Revolutionary War. History is right in our back yard, and we feel strongly that Rivertowns youth should be offered an opportunity to expand their awareness of local history.
Ongoing Scholarship & Public Presence
To give our efforts life that will extend for many years to come, we will to create an evolving range of collateral materials for the public, including posters of the Troiani painting, a map/brochure fully describing the Battle and its context, a short video sharing the history of this project, and a website which will be updated steadily as required. Scholarship is at the core of our process, and we continue to work with esteemed historians and scholars to foster new research that explores the Battle of Edgar’s Lane through the eyes of those living on this land before, during and after 1778.
Thank you to all our generous donors!
We are grateful for the generous support of:
THE VILLAGE OF HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON
THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER
THE DIANE DOBBS ALLEN CHARITABLE TRUST FOR HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON
Susan Holden • Daniel & Melissa Sbrega • Scarsdale Historical Society Uncle Lefty, Inc. • Nathaniel Winthrop
Adam Ames; Natalie & Tim Barry; The Baumbusch Foundation; Michael Bucuvalas; Barbara Charles; Janet Clough; Catalina Danis; Daughters of the American Revolution (Hudson Valley Patriots Chapter); William Eggering; Charlotte & Stanley Fahn; Michele Faranda; T. H. Forbes Co.; Harrison Frankel; Veronica Hummel & Peter Kolbert; Diana Jaeger; Sarah & David Knox; Jim & Barbara Langione; Barron Lerner & Cathy Seibel; Lisa & Joel Litvin; Howard & Margo Lorber; Carol Mason; Larry May; Robert Mayer & Edie Magnus; Kathryn Melhuish; Wynne Morriss & Suzanne Page; P. G. Muraik; Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.; Paul Perreten; Marlene Piturro; Peter Riolo, Inc.; Suzanne Smith; Patricia Speranza; George Stephenson & Connie Stewart; Michael Tremonte & Joanna Riesman; Lori Walsh; Robert Wilt
&
The professional services of Mario Bulfamante & Sons and Gaby Bordwin