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HHRT is a nonprofit organization comprised of 17 member municipalities located along the Hudson River shoreline from Yonkers to Peekskill, in Westchester County, New York, and including Piermont, Nyack, and Haverstraw in Rockland County, New York. HHRT encourages both local residents and visitors from around the country to explore all that the Rivertowns have to offer. Information on local events, dining and shopping opportunities, free audio tours, and more can be found at www.hudsonriver.com.
Q: What is your favorite story from your tours and why?
A: We worked initially to create a series of tours in the villages of Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, Irvington, and Nyack, NY – as well as tours of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Path that links these communities across the Hudson River. Piermont, NY, was just added this year, and Historic Hudson River Towns is a great driving tour through all the villages.
There are so many compelling stories in these historic villages, but one that stands out is in Tarrytown – it’s the story of Captor’s Monument in Patriots Park. During the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold infamously tried to betray the American cause by turning over plans for West Point to the British. He succeeded in secretly meeting British Major John Andre and turned over the plans, which Andre concealed in his boot. Hostile fire forced Andre’s ship to
retreat down the Hudson, and the major had to try to return to Manhattan by
land. Three alert militiamen captured Andre near the site of the monument in
present-day Tarrytown, potentially altering the course of the war. Major John
Andre was later executed as a spy, while Benedict Arnold escaped to
England.
Q: Is there anything that surprises visitors about the tours?
A: In Nyack, NY, we created a specialized walking tour titled, “Edward Hopper’s Nyack.” Many visitors are surprised to learn that this renowned painter spent his childhood in Nyack and that the village really inspired and informed his art throughout his life.
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