February 20, 2011 - White Plains, NY.

It was a chilly, sunny afternoon. A large crowd gathered outside the Jacob Purdy House, George Washington's headquarters in White Plains during the Revolutionary War. The occasion was to celebrate his 279th Birthday.

The program included: the arrival of troops, The Pledge of Allegiance led by Trustee Roseanna Washington, singing of The Star Spangled Banner, raising of the flag by Revolutionary War period re-enactors, and a remembrance of all U.S. troops serving at home and abroad.

President Hoch acknowledged local politicians Mayor Tom Roach and members of the Common Council Ben Boykin, Milagros Lecuona, and David Buchwald, as well as former member Bill Brown. He thanked Historical Society Trustees and Members, White Plains Citizens and everyone else for attending. All were invited inside for birthday cake, cookies, mulled cider and other refreshments served by gracious volunteers. Arriving later were Common Council members Beth Smayda and Dennis Power.

Following his well received presentation at the Society's Annual Dinner last year, author and historian Arthur S. Lefkowitz gave a lecture and slide-show explaining the integration of blacks in the Continental Army. He was assisted by our own First Vice President John Vorperian.

Also exhibited were galley copies of the soon to be published On the Streets Where We Lived: A Pictorial Study of African Americans Living in White Plains, New York from the Beginning of the Twentieth Century, sponsored by Bill Brown and edited by Harold Esannason.

Admission was free.

Refreshments Ready

Harold Esannason promoting "On the Streets Where we Lived" - a history of the African American community in White Plains

Dignitaries

Troops led by General George Washington

Flag raising

Some of the attendees

Troops on the march

Tribute to George Washington
Rob Hoch, President White Plains Historical Society

Natalie LeFace

Slides and Lecture

John Vorperian and Arthur Lefkowitz

Standing room only for lecture

Arthur Lefkowitz with his book Benedict Arnold's Army

Free refreshments

Maria Grillo

White Plains native Jonathan Svibruck dressed as a solider of the 5th NY Regiment

Doris Cypher , Trustee Patti Indelicato and Scott Jones

Cake

GW Birthday
Flyer