Burning of Kingston

11/07/2024

The Burning of Kingston event is hosted in the beautiful City of Kingston and primarily in Uptown Kingston. Uptown has a wonderful mix of businesses where visitors can shop, dine, and stay. The support of many local busiensses helps us to host a better Burning of Kingston, and we thank each that help us to put on a great show each time. We thank today Herzogs and the Kingston Uptown Plaza who was a partner this year! https://herzogs.com/

10/30/2024

If you missed this lecture, that was part of the 2024 Burning of Kingston events, on LGBTQ+ Life in Colonial Times and Molly Houses and Homosexuality in English Colonial Times, you can now view it online.

VIDEO of Lecture is now online.
LGBTQ+ LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES
By Dr. Megan Rhodes Victor, Prof. Anthropology at CUNY Queens College

If you missed this lecture presented by the HHS in partnership with the 2024 Burning of Kingston at the Old Dutch Church, you can now view it online by visiting:
https://www.hurleyheritagesociety.org/lectures/but-among-our-own-selves/

10/29/2024

Call now to connect with business.

10/28/2024

Last weekend, Kingston commemorated 1777’s Burning of Kingston, an event made possible by an enthusiastic community and dedicated group of

10/24/2024

Results from today's Capital to Capital 5k
https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/172755 -503026;perpage:100

10/21/2024

Hundreds lined the streets of the Stockade District on Saturday to witness the re-enactment of the Burning of Kingston, held in remembrance of the city’s revolutionary history.

The event commemorates the burning of the city in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. British forces, under the command of Lt. Gen. John Vaughan, attacked and burned Kingston, destroying 300 buildings in the process and prompting the city’s residents to flee to neighboring Hurley.

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Hundreds lined the streets of the Stockade District on Saturday to witness the re-enactment of the Burning of Kingston, held in remembrance of the city’s revolutionary histor…

10/20/2024

Great turnout for the 5K Capital to Capital Run from Uptown Kingston to Historic Hurley - almost 100 registrants participated this year. Organized by the The Kingston Rotary Club, and hosted by the Hurley Heritage Society Museum, this year's C2C race raised funds for Doggie Paddle, whose mission is to raise money and awareness for veterans in need of service dogs https://doggiepaddle.org/

10/20/2024

TODAY! Sunday, October 20

9 - 11:30am: CAPITAL TO CAPITAL 5K RUN/WALK

Starting at Front St & Washington Ave to Historic Hurley, a commemoration of Kingston refugees flight to Hurley

*A frequently running Shuttle Bus will run from 11am - 3pm between Uptown Kingston (the parking lot at the front door of Ulster Savings Bank on Washington and Schwenk Drive) and Hurley (at the corner of Russell Road and Route 209 at the Rail Trail Parking Lot).

The Capital-to-Capital run commemorates the human history of the Burning of Kingston when over 2,000 Kingstonians, mostly women, children, the elderly, and the enslaved fled to the town of Hurley seeking refuge as British soldiers burned Kingston to the ground. Participants will follow the same path as those who fled over 240 years ago in this 3.1-mile timed race. Pre-registration required to participate. (pre-registration required to participate)

10:30am: 18th CENTURY STYLE CHURCH SERVICE

Old Dutch Church, 18th century service with Henry Cooke, followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony

12 - 3pm: HISTORIC HURLEY WALKING TOURS

Hurley, tours of historic Main Street’s stone houses, at 12 and 2pm - pre-registration required - register online. (shuttle-bus from Uptown Kingston to Hurley available). The Hurley Heritage Society Museum will be open from 10am - 4pm, free and open to the public (52 Main Street, Hurley, NY)

*A frequently running Shuttle Bus will run from 11am - 3pm between Uptown Kingston (the parking lot at the front door of Ulster Savings Bank on Washington and Schwenk Drive) and Hurley (at the corner of Russell Road and Route 209 at the Rail Trail Parking Lot).

3 - 5pm: CHAMBER MUSIC OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD

BARD CONSERVATORY ENSEMBLE AND CHORALE

SEE FLIER FOR DETAILS

St. James Church, music from 18th century and premier of new compositions

Pre-Concert talk by Frank Corliss, Director – Bard Conservatory of Music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Sonata in G Major, K 379 (1781)

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Sonatas 1 in Bb Major & 2 in A Major (1781)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 378 (1781)

Intermission

Sammuel Mutter: World Premiere for four voices written exclusively for the Burning of Kingston (2024)

All events are FREE and open to the public - some events do require pre-registration 2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTSMAP OF LOCATION EVENTSThursday, October 1710am – 5pm: SENATE HOUSE TOURSTour the home where the first New York State Senate met in the fall of 1777, just prior to the Burning of Kingston. (N...

10/19/2024

That imperialist pig! We'll will win yet! Thank You! to all the reenactors who particiipated in this year's event! The Brigade of the American Revolution1st Ulster Militia

10/19/2024

TONIGHT! Saturday 5pm – 5:45 pm: BLACK PATRIOTS: HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION - at St James Church

Film Screening. From the initial sparks of revolution in Boston to the climactic Siege of Yorktown and beyond, this HISTORY documentary paints a comprehensive picture of the African American experience during the Revolutionary War. Hear about the war within the revolution through the true stories of some of the most crucial and significant African American figures of our country’s foundation including Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Phillis Wheatley and James Armistead Lafayette. Narrated by NBA legend, best-selling author and esteemed activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

St James Church, a film screening

43m

10/19/2024

TODAY IS A BIG DAY! Here is the schedule for Saturday, October 19th:
10am - 5pm: COLONIAL CAMP RE-ENACTMENTS

Visit the British encampment at the DAR/Henry Sleight House (Crown and Green Streets). Visit the Colonial Militia encampment at the Persen House (John and Crown St)

10am - 4pm: OPEN HOUSES AT THE PERSEN HOUSE AND DAR/HENRY SLEIGHT HOUSE

Includes exhibits and demonstrations of life during colonial times

10am - 5pm: SENATE HOUSE TOURS

Tours and special activity

10am: WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE BURNING?

Senate House, NYS Site Manager Aaron Robinson presents

11am: MAMA NUCHWE, PEACEMAKER OF KINGSTON

Persen House, Evan (Abachbahamedtch) Pritchard, descendant of the Mi'kmaq people, talks about the Chief of the Esopus Munsee Nation (Lenape), 100 years before the Burning.

12pm - 3pm: AN AFTERNOON WITH MARTHA WASHINGTON

Senate House, hear tales about the Revolutionary War and life and times of her and her husband George

3pm: COLONIAL RE-ENACTMENT STREET BATTLES [refer to map for locations].

Uptown, colonial re-enactors demonstrate

(please note, event has loud sounds of gunfire and cannon)

4pm - 5pm: STORIES FROM GHANA BEFORE THE SLAVE TRADE

St James Church, Maxwell Kofi Donker and the Sankofa Dancers and Drummers

SEE FLIER FOR MORE DETAILS

5pm – 5:45 pm: BLACK PATRIOTS: HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Film Screening. From the initial sparks of revolution in Boston to the climactic Siege of Yorktown and beyond, this HISTORY documentary paints a comprehensive picture of the African American experience during the Revolutionary War. Hear about the war within the revolution through the true stories of some of the most crucial and significant African American figures of our country’s foundation including Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Phillis Wheatley and James Armistead Lafayette. Narrated by NBA legend, best-selling author and esteemed activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

St James Church, a film screening

6pm - 7pm: PLIGHT OF SLAVES DURING THE BURNING OF KINGSTON - JAZZ VESPERS

A jazzoetry event with poems, stories, and writings based on local archival data and research by Dr. AJ Williams Meyers and Erin von Holdt-Gilbert featuring Ulster County Poet Laureate Kate Hymes and storyteller Evelyn Clarke accompanied by Kitt Potter, vocals; Joe Vincent Tranchina, piano; Paul Marienthal, flute; Eli Winograd, bass; and Hector B, percussion.

7pm: COLONIAL GRAND BALL & RECEPTION

Old Dutch Church, learn how to dance to the real oldies, 18th century music and re-enactors

All events are FREE and open to the public - some events do require pre-registration 2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTSMAP OF LOCATION EVENTSThursday, October 1710am – 5pm: SENATE HOUSE TOURSTour the home where the first New York State Senate met in the fall of 1777, just prior to the Burning of Kingston. (N...

10/18/2024

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
Friday, October 18
10am - 5pm: SENATE HOUSE TOURS
6:30pm - 8:30pm: LOYALTY AND ZEAL - ALGONKIANS OF THE REVOLUTION (1774-1783)

Old Dutch Church, (open at 6pm with music), Drew Shuptar- Rayvis, a citizen and cultural ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation presents.

Drew Shuptar- Rayvis , a citizen and cultural ambassador of the Pocomoke Indian Nation - Drew will talk about the contributions, struggles and sacrifices made by Algonkian peoples during the War of American Independence. This program will focus on Algonkian people and some Iroquoian of the period. Learn about material culture of Algonkian people during the revolution as well as trade; sit and listen about the complex political paths of patriotism, toryism and neutrality that shaped the history of many Algonkian and Iroquoian people in order to preserve their ways of life. Experience the realities of the deviation of Sullivan Campaign as well as the contributions made by numerous Algonkian people both patriot and loyal.

About Drew Shuptar-Rayvis - Drew Shuptar-Rayvis (Pekatawas MakataweU “Black Corn”) holds a cm laude Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from Western Connecticut State University and a Certificate Degree in Archaeology from Norwalk Community College. A true American of the mid-Atlantic region, his family includes indigenous Pocomoke heritage, Pennsylvania Dutch, Welsh, Swiss, English, Scots-Irish, Boyko Ukrainian and Ashkanazi Jewish, he honors all of his ancestors as a practicing living historian and regularly participates in colonial era reenactments, interpretations and public educational events. He has studied and become proficient in the reading of Wampum and works diligently in the research and preservation of the Eastern Woodland languages, particularly Renape and Mahican and is educated in the many European languages at use in the Colonial Period.

For full schedule and info on the Burning of Kingston: www.burningofkingston.com

10/17/2024

TODAY'S (10/17) SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Thursday, October 17

10am – 5pm: SENATE HOUSE TOURS

Tour the home where the first New York State Senate met in the fall of 1777, just prior to the Burning of Kingston. (NOTE: NYS museum has admission fee – all other events and activities during weekend are free to the public)

For additional info on Burning of Kingston events at the Senate Househttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/64aeb49af4a72558d05c0096/t/6707f3208770a356ac6baf5e/1728574241177/SH+-+2024+BOK+Flyer.pdf

6:30pm – 8:30pm: LGBTQ+ LIFE IN COLONIAL TIMES

Old Dutch Church, Dr. Megan Rhodes Victor, Prof. Anthropology at CUNY Queens College presents. Reception following at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Center (300 Wall Street) 1 block from the Old Dutch Church.

“”But Among Our Own Selves We'll Be Free”
A presentation by Professor Dr. Megan Victor, CUNY Queens College - with Q&A and reception following. Free and open to the public.

Located within eighteenth-century taverns of the English Colonial World, molly houses were clandestine locations wherein gay men and cross-dressing individuals could meet and participate in elaborate gendered performances. They served as spaces to interact, to socialize with others ‘like them’, to engage in more intimate relations, and to participate in complex rituals simulating births, ballroom dances, marriages, and tea parlor gatherings.

As taverns, molly houses were places where individuals could conduct social negotiation and form bonds of community. Taverns were largely male-coded drinking spaces in the eighteenth century, and yet these were also one of the few places where women – especially unmarried or widowed women – could work and even manage (or own) a business. This apparent gender contradiction may have played a role in taverns and inns serving as the location for molly houses.”

For additional info: https://www.facebook.com/events/410199221808216

For full schedule and more info: https://www.burningofkingston.com/schedule-of-events

10/16/2024

THE BRITISH ARE COMING!
Street battles, muskets and cannon, oh my! This Saturday starting at 3pm the street reenactments begin! It only lasts 45min or so, so don't dillydally, plan accordingly! and for a map of the street scenes, check out this map! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64aeb49af4a72558d05c0096/t/66d1c670be8e1322ac63d22b/1725023857139/BurningKingston_Reenactment_Map.jpg

NOTE: there will be loud noises of musket fire and cannon!

For more info on the entire weekend of Burning of Kingston events, history, maps, gallery and more visit: https://www.burningofkingston.com/

10/13/2024

Register to take a fascinating 'Burning of Kingston' themed HISTORIC HURLEY WALKING TOUR on Sunday Oct 20th, with tours at 12, 1 and 2pm. Preregistration is required (group sizes are limited for the enjoyment of all)
A shuttle-bus from Uptown Kingston (at the new Washington Ave Rail Kingston/Hurley parking lot by the rail road tracks) to Hurley, and back (from the Rail Trail parking lot at Russel Road and Route 209 intersection) are available, running every 1/2 hour from 11-3pm.

The Hurley Heritage Society operates the Hurley Heritage Museum to protect and preserve the history of Hurley, NY with exhibits, lectures, and walking tours.

10/13/2024

What exactly happened in 1777 at the Burning of Kingston? An introduction of the events of that day, presented in this short video by Hank Yost of the 1st Ulster Militia, and introduced by Paul O'Neil

In October 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, Kingston was targeted for retaliation by the British following the Continental Army's first major vic...

10/12/2024

KINGSTON, N.Y. — The Burning of Kingston is set to return Thursday, Oct. 17. It will feature a full lineup of talks, events, and re-enactments inspired by colonial history. The four-day event comme…

10/19/2023

Thank you Kingston Wire for the video!

The 2023 Burning of Kingston event was a smash hit last weekend, bringing re-enactors back for the first time since