by Frances Stanford

Created on: June 12, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Each of the thirteen river towns of the Hudson Valley has a story to tell that will give you a brief glimpse into the past. You can see how people lived in the early days of settlement, visit historic places that you learned about in school and discover the stories of the first settlers of the area. Added to the scenic beauty of the region, a vacation in the Hudson Valley will enhance your soul and your education in indescribable ways.

The town of Peekskill played a strategic role in the Revolutionary War as the headquarters of George Washington's forces at Birdshill House. Today a plaque marks the location of the house that was taken down in 1853 to allow the progress of the building of city streets. Both the downtown core of the town and the Fort Hill neighbourhood are listed as historic sites. Much of the architecture of this area dates back to the 19th century.

Most of the historical landmarks in the Hudson Valley are open to the public year round. West Point, that training academy for the US Military, is the most visited location in the region with bus tours taking visitors to the site on a regular basis. You are not permitted to tour the facility on your own, but there are guided tours available for the cemetery and the chapels. There is also a museum on the site that is the home of the largest and most diversified collection of military memorabilia in the Western Hemisphere.

While you are in the vicinity of West Point, you can take a boat tour to Constitution Island, which was the site of a military fort during the Revolutionary War. The house and other buildings on the island are being restored at the present time and boat tours have been suspended until these renovations are complete.

A visit to Bannerman's Castle on Bannerman's Island will take you inside the replica of a Scottish fortress. It was built in the early decades of the 20th century as a safe storage site for a huge collection of weapons and ammunition owned by the Bannerman Company. It was designed to serve as a warehouse from which the storage could be sold and also as a simple residence during the summer months.

In the town of Cotlandt, you can visit the home of the famous composer Adam Copland. In addition to providing you with information and displays of artifacts telling the story of his life, this three-acre estate has become the abode of musicians looking for a quiet place where they can work on their compositions. It also features a recreation area for canoeing and kayaking.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>