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.
Town of Pelham Public Library exhibit “The Pells in the Revolution: A Family Divided,” (now through end of 2026), including a display of a cannon ball actually fired during the Battle of Pelham.
September 17, 7:30pm, Pelham Picture House: Presentation and talk by Patrick O'Donnell, author of The Indispensables (the narrative non-fiction book that tells the story of John Glover and his diverse Marblehead Mariners regiment who fought in the Battle of Pelham and rowed Washington and the Continental Army across the Delaware). Tickets $5/students free.
Wednesday, October 14, 6-9pm: Arrival of the historic tall ship the Lynx in New Rochelle with a Tavern Night at Kenny's on the Water with reenactors, music, and trivia.
Thursday, October 15: Pelham Schools, district-wide, interdisciplinary Battle of Pelham day.
Thursday, October 15, 6:30-8pm: Privateers, Long Island Sound, and the American Revolution, a conversation with Eric Jay Dollin, award-winning author and maritime historian, and Donald Peacock, captain of the Lynx. Hommocks Middle School, Larchmont
Friday, October 16: St. Paul’s National Historic Site, Mount Vernon. 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, 10am-4pm: Come aboard the Lynx for guided tours, period family games, and living history. Hudson Park, New Rochelle.
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. New York Athletic Club, Travers Island.
Saturday, October 17: Fireworks display to celebrate the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Pelham. Harbor at Pelham Manor. (Can be viewed from Glenn Island Park, Shore Park, and Shore Road and Roosevelt Avenue, Pelham Manor.
Sunday, October 18: Reenactment of the Battle of Pelham with British soldiers landing at Orchard Beach at 9:30.
Sunday, October 18, 4pm: Pelham Town Historian, historic walking tour of Pelham Manor and the site of the Battle of Pelham. RSVP to Historian@townofpelhamny.gov.
Pelham250 Car Decal
Join the Pelham250 celebration with a car decal.
For sale ($5.00) at the Pelham Town Historian table at the Pelham Community Services Day, May 16, 10am-1pm. All proceeds go to Pelham250 programming and events.
Pelham 250 Events Held in 2026:
"The Battle of Pelham,” talk by Pelham Town Historian Arthur Scinta, April 13th
A standing-room-only crowd turned out at the Town of Pelham Public Library to hear about the Battle of Pelham of October 18, 1776 when a small group of Americans held off the British and saved the American Revolution.
Prospect Hill Elementary School Baldwin Apple Tree and Commemorative Plaque, April 24th
The entire student body turned out for student presentations on the Battle of Pelham followed by planting of a Baldwin apple tree and installation of a plaque in honor of Colonel Loammi Baldwin who fought in the battle. After America's War for Independence, Colonel Baldwin propagated the variety of apple tree that now bears his name. The plaque reads: "This Baldwin Apple Tree planted by the students of Prospect Hill School on the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Pelham in honor of Colonel Loammi Baldwin and his compatriots whos courage and ingenuity saved the American Revolution."
America: 250 Years in Word and Song, April 25th
It was a packed house at The Manor Club as nearly 300 people turned out for an evening of entertainment from Broadway and the American Songbook covering America’s history. A wine and cheese reception preceded the event and a dessert reception closed out the night.
Historic Walking Tour
About twenty people turned out on Mother's Day, May 10 at 4 pm for a walking tour “The Development of Pelham: From the Pells to the Present,” led by Pelham Town Historian Arthur Scinta. The tour left from Colonial Elementary School and wound its way from Colonial Avenue (the old Boston Post Road) to the Town Hall and ended at the 9/11 Memorial.
Pelham Preservation & Garden Society
June 6, 2026 at the Philip Pell House, at 45 Iden Avenue.
Hosts Rhonda Kost and Alfred Spector welcomed Pelham into their home for guided tours of the current first floor and the original (1700s) ground level. Several hundred braved a fierce rainstorm to wait in line to get a look inside of Pelham's most historic residence.
“Light Up the Night: A Star-Spangled Celebration"
Saturday, June 13 at the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Road
Chaired by Cherrie Greenhalgh and Pamela Pell, the fantastic evening included cocktails in the garden, dinner, and dancing.
Pelham 2.50 Mile Run
July 4th sponsored by the Pelham Civic Association and the American Legion, Pelham Post 50