RE: An Historic Weekend October 12th, Columbus Day Weekend

The last shots were fired at Yorktown when the British finally surrendered – October 19, 1781 – to end the War for American Independence. Yet the British remained in New York (and America) for over two more years!

General and Brother George Washington in 1783 had a very busy year. He put down a revolt of officers in Newburgh in the spring, took a tour of upstate New York visiting the battlefields of both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution during the summer and then in the early Fall, and protected the young Congress at Princeton. In November he was scheduled for a trip to West Point to check out the area to store supplies for the Army and to secure a place to educate young men for leadership in the future military. On his way he encountered a fierce snowstorm and stopped at the DeWint House in Tappan for the fourth and final time (November 11-14) and then when the snow stopped went on to West Point.

On November 25, 1783 he led the victorious Americans into New York City as the British “evacuated” the city. Freedom in America – and New York – had finally become reality.

Now New York Masons will be able to make this same historic trip only just a little backward.

On Sunday, October 12, 2008, you will have the opportunity to spend Grand Master’s Day at historic Tappan and the DeWint House. Following festivities at the DeWint House featuring a short historic talk on the events 225 years ago will be a brunch at the “Old ’76 House”, and remarks from the Grand Master.

Come celebrate American history with your friends and family this exciting weekend. For further details, call:

For the De Wint House: Bill Maurer
3 Tulip Court, Park Ridge, NY 07656; e-mail bill@maurer.org
Look forward to seeing and being with you this weekend!