White Plains History

08/11/2026

Hey, the Westchester County Historical Society is featuring the Purdy House in their 250th History Hunt!

07/15/2026

Thanks to the Scarsdale Historical Society for sharing this clip about last weekend’s event.

07/12/2026

Photos: White Plains commemorated the city's first reading of the Declaration of Independence as it marked the nation's 250th anniversary. See link below ⬇️

📸 Seth Harrison, Seth Harrison

07/12/2026

07/11/2026

While you are in White Plains tomorrow to celebrate the Reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Birth of New York State, be sure to patronize our many outstanding restaurants and taverns in the dowtown. HUZZAH!

07/10/2026

REMINDER - please join us this Sunday, July 12th to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Reading of the Declaration of Independence at White Plains and the Birth of NY State. Festivities kick off at 11:30 AM with a COLONIAL PARADE from Renaissance Plaza to Mitchell Place. OFFICIAL CEREMONY and reenactment from Noon-1PM at American Legion Post 135 - 57 Mitchell Place followed by the DAR wreath laying from 1:00-1:30PM at Armory Plaza and a COLONIAL VILLAGE from 1:30PM to 5:00 PM at Tibbits Park. While our artillery unit cancelled at the last moment due to technical problems we promise the public that we will celebrate on Mitchell Place with a BANG! Kids welcome! ADMISSION FREE!

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day from the White Plains Historical Society! We wish you and your loved ones the blessings of LIBERTY on this 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

07/03/2026

We are excited to announce that the 4th NY/4thBTR Artillery Regiment will be joining us on Sunday, July 12th to give a CANNON SALUTE from Tibbets Park to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the reading of the Declaration of Independence at White Plains and the Birth of New York State. Events begin at 11:30 AM with a parade from Renaissance Plaza to the site of the Declaration reading ceremony on Mitchell Place. The 4th will be at Tibbets Park with other reenactors in the afternoon to demonstrate their equipment to the public. Firing is planned at approx. 1 PM upon completion of the reading of the Declaration. For more info about this event see our previous posts, or call (914) 328-1776 or click here: https://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/m/newsflash/home/detail/2161

05/25/2026

Today we honor the memory of those U.S. service members who gave the last full measure for their country. In honor of the Rev War 250th anniversary, the White Plains Historical Society also remembers those who served in the Revolutionary War whose final resting place is in White Plains:

White Plains Rural Cemetery:
Pvt. Jesse Coles, Col. Birdsall’s Dutchess County Militia, and U.S. Navy
Capt. James Falconer, Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia
Pvt. Moses Fowler, Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia
Major Jonathan Horton, Westchester County Militia
Corp. James Sniffen, Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia
Gilbert Taylor

First Presbyterian Church Cemetery:
John Barker, Drummer, Dutchess County Militia
Pvt. Thomas Barker, Albany County Militia
Pvt. Amos Cobb, Connecticut Levies, 3rd Battalion
Pvt. Charles Dusenberry
Capt. Henry Dusenberry
Elijah Fisher
Nicholas Fisher
Pvt. John Gray, Virginia Regiment
Abraham Hatfield
Pvt. Daniel Hatfield, Westchester County Militia
Lieut. Caleb P. Horton
Capt. Jonathan Paulding Horton
William Horton
Capt. Solomon Kidder, Col. Brook’s Massachusetts Regiment
Pvt. Benjamin Lyon, Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia
John Martine
Caleb Merritt, Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia
1st Lt Elijah Miller, Col. Drake’s Westchester County Militia
Pvt. Elijah Miller, Jr., Col. Drake’s Westchester County Militia
Pvt. John Miller, Col. Drake’s Westchester County Militia
Jonathan Osgood, Massachusetts Regiment
Capt. Jacob Purdy , Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia
Elisha Tompkins, 1st Westchester County Militia
Jonathan Griffin Tompkins, Col. Thomas’s Westchester County Militia

Harriot Family Burial Ground:
Israel Harriot, Col. Lamb’s Regiment, Continental Artillery

Jonathan Purdy Family Burial Ground:
Hercules Wessels, Col. Lamb’s Regiment, Continental Artillery

04/19/2026

We are pleased to announce White Plains Hospital as a featured sponsor of the 250th anniversary reenactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence at White Plains and the Birth of New York State. Please join us Sunday, July 12th at 11:30 AM for this historic event in downtown White Plains! Wear your tricorn, or your petticoat! Admission FREE!