Dutchess County continues its multi-year commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial with RevCon 2025 — the second-annual Revolutionary War Reenactment and History Fair — hosted by Destination Dutchess and the Dutchess County Department of History on June 14 at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park.
Reenactors will be on hand for weapons demonstrations and tactics, exhibitions of military camp life and uniforms, and question-and-answer sessions about life in Revolutionary America. Historians will be on hand at the accompanying history fair to talk about the Hudson Valley's role in the Revolutionary War.
You can also pose for photos with Destination Dutchess' very own "Commander in Cheers" and listen to stories of Dutchess County's revolutionary heroics as told by a pint-sized, augmented reality version of George Washington — also known as "Tiny George."
Here is a timeline for the day's events:
• 10 a.m.–4 p.m., History Fair & Reenactment, Wallace Center and Library Lawn.
• 11 a.m., Uniform talk and firing demos.
• 12:30 p.m., A presentation by historian and author Todd Braisted, titled "They Absolutely Did Not Murmur: The Hudson Valley Takes Up Arms for King George" (see details below).
• 2 p.m., Uniform talk and firing demos.
Related: Revolutionary Cider Celebration 2025: June 28, Fishkill Farms
This discussion will examine the region's role in supporting the British war effort. In 1776, the scene of action for the Revolutionary War moved from Boston to the New York City area in part because of reports of a strong Loyalist presence along the Hudson. Was this true, or just another unfounded hope by the British? This discussion will examine the role New York’s Hudson Valley played in supporting British efforts in the war, their leaders, and the corps they served in. Their numbers, services and where they fought may surprise you.
Todd Braisted is an author and independent researcher specializing in Loyalist studies during the American Revolution. He has published over 60 books and journal articles on a variety of period subjects, including the 2016 book "Grand Forage 1778." His website has been the leading site for Loyalist research since it debuted in 2000. Todd has likewise appeared as a guest historian on such television shows as History Detectives and Who Do You Think You Are? Over the past four decades, he has served as president of the Bergen County Historical Society and the Brigade of the American Revolution and is a Fellow in the Company of Military Historians. He likewise serves as a history advisor to Crossroads of the American Revolution, and a member of RevolutionNJ, New Jersey’s advisory council for the Semiquincentennial.
Related: To learn about Dutchess County sites you can visit that have connections to the Revolutionary War, click here.
Dutchess County is home to a rich tapestry of stories spanning centuries, all waiting to be told. Explore these legends, landmarks and more with the Destination Dutchess Story Finder, a mobile passport program featuring discounts, perks and itineraries for some of the region’s most captivating historic sites.
