New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New Windsor Cantonment
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Reconstructions of the Temple and another building.
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Temple Hill Rd., Vails Gate, NY |
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| Nearest city | Newburgh |
| Area | 2,275 acres (921 ha) |
| Built | 1782 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000898 |
| Added to NRHP | July 31, 1972 |
The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site is a special place in New Windsor, New York. It was once the final winter camp for the Continental Army, the main army of the United States during the American Revolutionary War. Here, you can see rebuilt versions of the buildings where soldiers lived and worked. This site helps us remember an important time in American history.
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A Home for Soldiers: 1782-1783
From June 1782 to October 1783, about 7,000 American soldiers stayed here. They lived in 600 log huts spread across more than 1,600 acres. Even though the big Siege of Yorktown battle had mostly ended the war, the British army still held New York City.
General George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army, thought the British might try to restart the war. So, he kept his army close to New York City and the important Hudson River. This way, they were ready if fighting began again. On April 19, 1783, Washington officially told his army that the war was over.
The Newburgh Conspiracy Explained
Even after the war ended, times were still uncertain. The soldiers had not been paid for a long time. Some officers were very upset and thought about marching to the Continental Congress (the government at the time) to demand their pay. This secret plan was called the Newburgh Conspiracy.
General Washington stepped in. He met with his officers at a building called the Temple, which has been rebuilt at the site. During his famous speech, he showed them his eyeglasses, saying he had grown "not only gray, but almost blind" in the service of his country. This act of humility helped persuade his officers not to rebel. It showed his great leadership.
The First Purple Heart Awards
The Purple Heart medal was first given out right here at New Windsor Cantonment. This medal honors soldiers who are wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. military. To remember this history, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor was opened nearby on November 10, 2006.
What Happened After the War?
After the soldiers left, their log huts were sold. Some of the stone walls you see at the site today might be made from stones that came from the old fireplaces of those huts.
In 1963, the town bought 167 acres of the original camp. They work with the National Temple Hill Association to keep it as a monument. The Temple building and the area around it are managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission helps run it.
Visiting the Site Today
The New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site is open from mid-April through October. You can visit Wednesdays through Sundays. It's free to get in! Often, you can see reenactors dressed in old-fashioned clothes from the 1700s. They help bring history to life with special events and activities.
See also
