NEW YORK—New York City is known for many things: Wall Street, Broadway theater, fashion, and the Yankees, to name a few. What’s often overlooked is the city’s rich history as the center of the American Revolution.
“When I was in school, we learned about Boston, Philadelphia—New York was airbrushed out,” said revolutionary war expert Jimmy Napoli.
Napoli lectured to the public at Morris-Jumel Mansion on Saturday as part of a day of events commemorating the Battle of Harlem Heights. The battle was the first victorious battle of the American Revolution and has its history tied to Morris Jumel Mansion, where General George Washington kept his headquarters for about two months during the battle.
“A lot of people don’t know about the battle and that it was the first victory,” said Carol Ward, director of education and public programs at the mansion.
Before the battle took place, the Continental Army led by Washington had focused all of their numbers in Manhattan. Then the British Navy arrived with the largest fleet of ships ever amassed up to that point in history, according Napoli.
The fleet was so massive that “you could walk from Brooklyn to Staten Island without getting your feet wet. There were so many masts that it looked like a forest,” said Rich Bala, a folk singer-historian who performed at the mansion.
At that point, Washington’s army split and fled Manhattan. Washington himself led a group that turned back toward the British forces to put up a fight and give the rest of the Continental Army a chance to escape. On Sept. 16, 1776, Washington’s fight, the Battle of Harlem Heights, was a victory—although it was only a momentary one before he fled further north.
On Saturday, the mansion, which also lays claim to the title of oldest house in Manhattan, held free activities all day, including a scavenger hunt, colonial dress up for kids, Napoli’s lecture, and Bala’s musical performance.
Bala’s period folk ballads traced the history of the revolution through difficult days of the Battle of Harlem Heights to the triumphant turning point of the Battle of Saratoga.
The ballads ranged from simplistically catchy, like “The rifle, the rifle, in our hand will prove no trifle,” to more poignant commentary that shows the rich depth of the rebel soldiers’ character: “who value your honor more than others do gold.”
Bala, who makes a profession both as a musician and historian, said that he loves performing at Morris-Jumel Mansion.
“Just the thought that George Washington walked on these floors. It sends shivers up my spine,” he said.
Upcoming Events at Morris-Jumel Mansion
Music at Morris-Jumel Concert Series: Oct. 3. Duo Marchand will present a sampler of the modest music making of colonial America, spotlighting Duo Marchand's vintage 1770 English guitar and Italianate triple harp. Tickets are $25 per person and $20 for members. Advanced registration is required. Call 212 923 8008. 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Open House New York: Oct. 10-11. Children and their families can tour the Mansion, make colonial hats, dress up in colonial style costumes, or go on a scavenger hunt and win a prize. Free, no advanced registration required. 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Uptown Treasures. Oct. 18. Tour the Mansion at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to hear all about the spirits of the Mansion’s past and learn basic weaving techniques to create a take home art project. Free, no advanced registration required.
Wine Tasting and Tour. Oct. 23. Experience local wines in the setting of the historic Octagon drawing room. A tour of the Mansion is also included in the program. Tickets are $20 per person and $15 for members. Advanced registration is required. Call 212-923-8008. 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
