Historic Pelham Blog Archive
December 4, 2009

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK:  "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).  CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

The Federal government recently provided funds for lighting the beautiful Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site located on the old Eastchester Village Green.  Last night I photographed the newly-lit site.  Posted below are four of the many, many photographs that I took of the lovely site.

The site includes an 18th century stone church that was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War.  It also includes remnants of the Eastchester Village Green that was the scene of the famous Election of 1733 which raised issues of Freedom of Religion and the Press.  The cemetery that surrounds much of the church has grave stones dating back to 1704.  It contains more than 6,000 burials including slaves, Revolutionary War soldiers, members of the Pell family and many 18th and early 19th century Pelham residents.

The photograph immediately above shows the church on the right with the full moon in the sky.  On the left is the 19th century stone carriage house that now serves as the museum and administrative offices at the site.

The photograph above shows the church, with the full moon above, from a slightly different angle.  Although it may be difficult to make out in the small version of the photo, immediately to the right of the steeple tower in the night sky is the Constellation Orion.  In the full-sized, high resolution photograph, the Constellation is quite striking.

This photograph was taken from the cemetery grounds.  Some of the grave stones are visible in the foreground.  In the distance near the lower right corner next to the tree, a boom from the industrial area along the Hutchinson River is lit and visible.

This photograph shows the main entrance facade of the church building.

St. Paul's Church National Historic Site is located at 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.  It is only 100 yards or so from the newly-opened Pelham Manor Shopping Plaza and is easy to visit and has wonderful programs.

The site provides guided tours, Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Some of the upcoming special programs, as indicated on the site's Web site, include:

Sat., Dec. 12, open from Noon to 4 PM

Opera in the historic church

A 2 p.m. performance by the Bronx Opera Company, featuring favorite excerpts from classic operas as well as performances, and sing-alongs, of some traditional seasonal carols and Holiday favorites

Tues, Dec. 15, 10 AM - Noon
Bill of Rights Program
An educational program marking the 217th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

Sun., Dec. 20, 2 PM
Holiday Organ Concert
A recital by Jan Piet Knijff featuring classical music on the historic 1833 pipe organ, including some traditional carols and Holiday favorites. Refreshments served.

Thu., Dec. 22-23, 26, 29-31, 10 AM to 4 PM
Family Holiday Program
Historic games, activities, music and demonstrations, designed for children on vacation from school, as well as parents, adults, and others.

Sat., Jan. 9, open from Noon to 4 PM
Shakespeare in the Church
At 1:30 p.m., enjoy a performance by the Red Monkey Theatre Group of the climatic "trial" scene of William Shakespeare's classic, The Merchant of Venice, performed in the historic church, which was used as a courthouse in the 18th century. Also view the site’s feature exhibition, "Chief Executives on the Village Green: St. Paul’s and the Presidents."

Sat., Feb. 13, open from Noon to 4 PM
Presidents & African American History
Talks and re-enactments commemorating President’s Day and February as African American History Month, including appearances by Presidents Washington, Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as talks about Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln -- special activities for children.

Sat., March 13, open from Noon to 4 PM
Women’s History Month Event -- Colonial Gravestones and Eleanor Roosevelt
In recognition of March as Women's History Month, at 1 p.m. art historian John Zielinski explores the lives of women in 18th_Century America based on symbolism and inscriptions on gravestones, including several in the historic burial yard at St. Paul’s. At 2 p.m., a historian with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library explores the life and times of Eleanor Roosevelt, who visited St. Paul’s Church. At 3 p.m., tour the historic cemetery and learn about the lives of American women over three centuries.

Sat., March 20, 2 PM
David Hackett Fischer and the American Revolution
Acclaimed historian and author David Hackett Fischer, a distinguished Professor at Brandies University, talks about the American Revolution, delivering the annual Aronson Memorial Lecture. Among Dr. Fischer’s outstanding books are Paul Revere’s Ride and Washington’s Crossing, which received the Pulitzer Prize. The site is open from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sat., April 10, open from Noon to 4 PM
Native Americans: The Area’s Earlier Residents

At 2 p.m., staff historian Pat Ernest explores the story of the Native Americans who lived in the area before the European settlers. There will also be tours of the historic Church Bell Tower and of the cemetery, one of the nation’s oldest burial yards.

Fri., April 16, 3 PM
Church Tower Walk
Join us for a hike up the wooden staircase in the Church tower, leading to the historic, 250-year-old metal bell, one of the oldest in the country. (Note: This program is repeated, every other Friday, weather permitting -- April 30, May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25.)

Sat., May 8, 5-9 PM
St. Paul's Historic Dinner
With only one American World War I veteran still alive, this year’s special benefit event recognizes the soldiers and civilians who lived at the time of the War to End all Wars. The event features a World War I era (1914-1918) style dinner, as well as music and talk recalling The Great War. Contact the site at 914-667-4116 for ticket reservations and details.

Mon., May 31, Memorial Day
Soldier’s Stories & Songs
The site will be open, regular hours, 9 AM to 5 PM, with special tours throughout the day, recalling the lives and stories of soldiers interred in the historic cemetery. There will also be music and talks recognizing soldiers from throughout American history.

Sat., June 12, open from Noon to 4 PM
Colonial Day
Join us for Colonial era style music, dancing, crafts, games and arms. There's also special tours of the Church Bell Tower and of the colonial section of the historic cemetery, and a recital on the historic pipe organ.

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Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/
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posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:48 AM Comment

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