Margaret Corbin Day Tour & Creative Workshop
Join Fort Tryon Park Conservancy for the inaugural Margaret Corbin Day—an evening of history, reflection, and creative storytelling in one of New York City’s most beautiful parks.
Did you know that West Point Military Academy honors American Revolutionary War hero Margaret Corbin every May 1st? Now, Fort Tryon Park will proudly continue that tradition by celebrating her courage and legacy right where history lives!
The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a welcome and guided tour, starting at the Margaret Corbin Plaza entrance to the park. From 6:00–7:00 PM, gather for an engaging Uptown Stories reading and creative workshop. Through storytelling and reflection, participants will explore themes of bravery, resilience, and choice.
Honor Revolutionary War hero Margaret Corbin with stories, reflection, and creativity. Q: What would you have done if you were Margaret? Step into history, share your voice, and imagine the courage it takes to stand your ground. Come celebrate a local hero and be part of a new Fort Tryon Park tradition!
This free community event invites all ages to connect with the past while creating something meaningful for the present.
Location: Fort Tryon Park Margaret Corbin Circle Heather Garden Entrance
The American Revolution was largely fought in the backyards of civilians, especially in New York. After the British took control of New York City in the fall of 1776, with the Americans retreating north of the Croton River, the area in between became known as the Neutral Ground or Neutral Zone.
For eight long years, this area, which included all of Philipse Manor, saw unprecedented levels of military battles and skirmishes, vigilante violence, and “foraging” for military supplies from the very civilians the armies were purporting to liberate from the enemy. Women were often caught in the middle, as they struggled to maintain households with men joining armies, tried to protect themselves and their children from military and vigilante violence including sexual violence, and to protect their properties and foodstuffs from barn burnings, cattle rustlers, and marauding “foragers.” Some had strong political views on the conflict. Others simply tried to survive.
This talk will examine the lives of women in the Neutral Zone more broadly as well as specific stories of individual women including Mary Philipse Morris and Elizabeth Williams Rutgers Philipse, Ann Fisher Miller, Grace Isaacs Babcock, and Black Loyalists such as Eleanor Fleming and Lydia Tompkins.
The Morris-Jumel Mansion brings New York history to life in the brand-new “Uncovering Uptown History” guided walking tour!
Manhattan’s oldest residence, the Morris-Jumel Mansion, brings Uptown Manhattan history to life in the brand-new “Uncovering Uptown History” guided walking tour!
Morris-Jumel Mansion guides bring you along a series of hidden historic gems of New York history in the brand-new “Uncovering Uptown History” guided walking tour: a 90-minute, one-mile mobile experience beginning at the Morris-Jumel Mansion and ending at Trinity Cemetery on Broadway and 155th. Spanning over 260 years, this tour illuminates little-known corners of the Revolutionary War, the Gilded and Industrial Ages, the Harlem Renaissance, and more, connecting the paths of legendary figures with the ones we walk today. Perfect for locals, hard to impress history buffs, and tourists looking beyond well-known sites of New York City.
Dress seasonably and wear your walking shoes. The walk is considered easy to moderately challenging.
Tickets are on sale NOW! The first tour of the series will take place December 6 at 10:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-3:00pm.
Explore one of Upper Manhattan’s hidden treasures: the historic Cottage at Fort Tryon Park. Originally built as the gatehouse for the grand Billings Estate, this unique structure became part of the park when the land was transformed into public space in the early 1930s.
Today, the Cottage serves as the headquarters for NYC Parks’ Northern Manhattan Parks division and the Fort Tryon Park Conservancy—but for one special day, its doors will be open for the public to explore.
Take a self-guided look around this rarely opened building, get a glimpse into the past, and learn about the history of the cottage, the surrounding neighborhood, and how Fort Tryon Park came to be.
Friendly guides will be on hand throughout the day to share stories and answer questions. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with local history in one of NYC’s most beautiful parks.
The Annual Fall Festival returns to Dyckman Farmhouse Museum with exciting new activities plus the family-favorites you’ve been waiting all year for:
* Unleash your inner artist with fall-inspired stop motion animations and mind-bending optical illusions! Yes, you read that right! Come create your own thaumatropes and spin your drawings to life!
* Sip on apple cider fresh from the press and crafted right before your eyes!
* Dance to LIVE MUSIC performed by your favorite local musicians!
* Enjoy some neighborly competition! Put your steady hand to the test with giant Jenga and see how long your tower can last! We’ll have plenty of lawn games out for anyone up for a challenge…
Come explore our latest contemporary exhibition by Cheyney McKnight, community altar curated by Regina Evans, and permanent collection as long as you’d like! Refreshments, snacks, and freshly popped popcorn will be available for purchase all day long.
