Newburgh, NY

Local Events

Reenactments, heritage festivals, and living history programs — experience the Revolution where it happened.

Upcoming This Year

Jul

Festival

Independence Day Celebration at Washington's Headquarters

Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site (Hasbrouck House), Newburgh, NY

Annual Fourth of July celebration at the Hasbrouck House, Washington's longest-serving headquarters during the Revolution. The program features Continental Army reenactors, musket firing demonstrations, fife and drum music, period craft demonstrations, and guided tours of the historic headquarters. The event highlights Newburgh's central role in the final years of the war and the establishment of the new republic.

Free or nominal admissionJuly 4th or nearest weekend; contact Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site to confirm programming each year.More info →

Aug

Ceremony

National Purple Heart Day Ceremony

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY

Annual ceremony honoring recipients of the Purple Heart medal, held at or near the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, adjacent to Newburgh. George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit — the direct precursor to the Purple Heart — at his Newburgh headquarters on August 7, 1782. The ceremony includes wreath-laying, keynote addresses by veterans and dignitaries, and special museum programming commemorating the history of the nation's oldest military decoration.

FreeAugust 7 is National Purple Heart Day; ceremonies may shift to nearest weekend. Contact the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor to confirm.More info →

Earlier This Year

Mar

– 16

ReenactmentFeatured

Newburgh Conspiracy Weekend / Ides of March Program

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, Vails Gate / Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site, Newburgh

Annual living history program commemorating the Newburgh Conspiracy of March 1783, when George Washington addressed his restless officers and defused a potential military coup. Held at the New Windsor Cantonment and Washington's Headquarters, the event features reenactors portraying Continental Army soldiers, dramatic readings of Washington's address to his officers, musket and artillery demonstrations, and guided tours of the Temple Building site where the historic meeting took place.

Free or nominal admissionTypically held on the weekend closest to March 15 (the anniversary of Washington's address); contact New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site to confirm exact dates each year.More info →

Apr

Lecture

Cessation of Hostilities Anniversary Program

Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site (Hasbrouck House), Newburgh, NY

Special interpretive program marking the anniversary of Washington's proclamation of the Cessation of Hostilities on April 19, 1783, issued from his Newburgh headquarters exactly eight years after the battles of Lexington and Concord. The program at Washington's Headquarters includes ranger-led tours, historical talks about the end of the Revolutionary War, and readings from Washington's general orders announcing the peace.

Free or nominal admissionApril 19 or nearest weekend; contact Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site to confirm whether this program is scheduled each year.

Apr

Reenactment

Continental Army Encampment Weekend at New Windsor Cantonment

New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, Vails Gate, NY

Annual spring or summer living history weekend recreating daily life at the Continental Army's final winter encampment (1782–1783). Hundreds of reenactors set up period military camps, demonstrate 18th-century cooking, blacksmithing, and military drill. Visitors can watch musket and cannon firings, tour reconstructed log huts, and learn about the experiences of the soldiers who waited at New Windsor for news of the peace treaty.

Free or nominal admissionTypically held on a weekend in late April or early May; exact dates vary by year. Contact New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site to confirm.More info →