Celebratory Pelham Events to Mark the Semiquincentennial
At America’s Bicentennial in 1976, Pelham went all out to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Pelham. This year, Pelham’s many civic and charitable organization are doing the same -- hosting programs, displays, and events with themes centered around celebrating the 250th anniversary of America and our local battle.
Saturday, March 14: Open House and Campus Tours at Huguenot Memorial Church to mark the congregation's 150th anniversary. 9am to noon, on the hour.
Monday, April 13: Town of Pelham Public Library, opening of exhibit “The Pells in the Revolution: A Family Divided,” including a display of a cannon ball actually fired during the Battle of Pelham. 7pm talk on “The Battle of Pelham,” Pelham Town Historian Arthur Scinta.
Friday, April 24, 2:30 pm: Prospect Hill School planting of a Baldwin Apple Tree to recognize Colonel Loami Baldwin’s role in the Battle of Pelham. (Col. Baldwin propagated the Baldwin Apple Tree after the war.)
Saturday, April 25, 6 pm: “America: 250 Years in Word and Song,” an evening of songs from Broadway and the American Songbook covering America’s history, presented by The Manor Club,1023 Esplanade.
Sundays, May 3, 10, and 17 at 4 pm: “The Development of Pelham: From the Pells to the Present,” walking tours with Pelham Town Historian Arthur Scinta (May 3 from Prospect Hill School, May 10 from Colonial Elementary School), and May 17 from Hutchinson Elementary School. Reserve tickets by email to [email protected].
Monday, May 25: Pelham Memorial Day Parade followed by a salute to America’s veterans at Pelham Town Hall Memorial Park sponsored by the American Legion, Pelham Post 50.
Saturday, June 6: Pelham Preservation & Garden Society benefit at the historic Pell House (now called Pelham Dale) at 45 Iden Avenue (one of only two Pelham pre-Revolutionary War homes).
Saturday, June 13: “Light Up the Night: A Star Spangled Celebration at Historic Bartow-Pell,” the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Road.
Thursday, July 2, 7 pm: Town of Pelham Public Library, “Out of the Ashes,” a talk about the resilience of New York after British occupation during the war. By Zoom with New York Historical.
Saturday, July 4: “Pelham 2.50 mile” running race co-sponsored by the Pelham Civic Association and the American Legion, Pelham Post 50.
Friday, July 10, 3 pm: Town of Pelham Public Library, “Philip Pell: Revolutionary War Leader.” Co-hosted with St. Paul’s National Historical Site.
Thursday, October 15: Pelham Schools, district-wide, interdisciplinary Battle of Pelham day.
Friday, October 16: St. Paul’s National Historic Site Candlelight Cemetery Tour with reenactors telling the stories of Revolutionary War soldiers, Philip, David, and Samuel Pell and others, who interred in the St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Saturday, October 17: “Stars, Stripes, and a Revolutionary Night: A Salute to the Spirit of Pelham,” a festive gala co-sponsored by the
Junior League of Pelham and the Pelham Civic Association in honor of the Battle of Pelham.
Additional events are in the planning stages as of press time. Check back here for updates, like the Pelham250 Facebook page, or email [email protected].
In addition to Pelham250, regional events include Sail4th 250, a tall ships flotilla in New York Harbor, July 3-8, and Rev Fest 250 in Westchester County.