Hudson River Valley | ||
Westchester CountyTown of Bedford |
The Town of Bedford is comprised of the hamlets of Bedford Hills, Bedford Village, and Katonah, along with the cdp of Bedford (an area outside of the hamlets) in the Town of Bedford. Bedford is in north central and northeastern Westchester County, New York. For information about activities, attractions, and things to do in or near the Town of Bedford, visit the hamlets of Bedford at Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, and Katonah.
Town History of Bedford
"Bedford was part of Connecticut in 1697 when a patent fixed the boundaries as a six-mile square and it wasn't until England's King William issued a royal degree in 1700, to settle a boundary dispute that Bedford became part of New York. "The Town's importance grew during the Colonial period and served as the wartime Westchester County seat during the Revolutionary War after the Battle of White Plains and until Bedford was burned by the British on July 11, 1779. After the Revolution, Bedford became one of two seats of County government, alternating with White Plains until 1870. The Court House in Bedford Village, built in 1787 and renovated in the 1960s, is Westchester County's oldest government building."
Bedford Village
Katonah
Bedford Hills
Source of Town and Hamlet History :
Town of Bedford
History And Antiquities
"Bedford, from New York NE, 44 miles, was first settled under a Connecticut license in 1681 or 1682, at a place called the hop-ground, on account of its natural product. The original patent, dated 1697, bears the Connecticut seal, and it was not until 1700 that the settlement was attached to New York by order of King William. Bedford, the half-shire town, has a courthouse and about 45 dwellings. Whitlockville is a small village." First Chief-Justice of the United States John Jay during the latter part of his life resided in the northern part of this town. The annexed sketch of his life is from Blake's Biographical Dictionary: "John Jay, LL.D., first chief-justice of the United States under the constitution of 1789, graduated at Kings, (now Columbia College) in 1764 and in 1768 was admitted to the bar. He was appointed to the first American congress in 1774. Being on the committee with Lee and Livingston to draft an address to the people of Great Britain, he was the writer of the eloquent production. In the congress of 1775, he was on various important committees, performing more service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and John Adams. In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in forming the government of New York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the declaration of Independence . . . though not a member of the convention that formed the constitution of the United States, he was present at Annapolis and aided by his advice. He also assisted Madison and Hamilton in writing the Federalist. In the convention of New York he contributed to the adoption of the constitution. He was appointed chief justice by Washington, December 26, 1789. In 1794, he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain, and succeeded in negotiating the treaty, which still goes, by his name. Chief-Justice John Jay was governor of the state of New York from 1795 to 1801. The remainder of his life passed in retirement. He died in 1829, aged 84." About Bedford Village Today Enjoy a day of history at Bedford Village Memorial Park. At the Village Memorial Park, you can look around and see hundreds of years of history. Visit Bedford Historic Hall, c1806 walk across Bedford Village Green and you can see the Bedford Historic Post office c1838, or imagine what it was like when children went to school in the Bedford Historic School House c1829. For dining out, select one of several excellent restaurants in Bedford, New York. About Bedford Hills Today Visit Bedford Hills Park or Rosaforte Park in Bedford Hills. Bedford Hills Park offers many things to do including, baseball, basketball, fishing, a playground, and for those hot summer days enjoy the swimming pools in Bedford Hills Park. Winter activities include ice skating at the park. Go biking, hiking, or fishing, take a short drive and go to the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. The Ward Pound Reservation is a 4,315-acre park making Ward Pound Ridge Reservation the county’s largest park. With its varied terrain and landscapes and miles of wooded trails the park provides a variety of activities in all seasons. There are areas for picnicking, lean-to camping, fishing and cross-country skiing. The park is home to the Trailside Nature Museum, which hosts weekend nature interpretive programs year-round.
About Katonah Today
If you enjoy historic sites, be sure to visit the John Jay Homestead State Historic Site. Children of all ages will enjoy visiting this historic site. For music, art, festivals, and history, visit Caramoor in Katonah. With its outstanding performances, engaging arts-in-education programming, the extraordinary Rosen House, and beautiful grounds, Caramoor is a cornerstone of the cultural life of Westchester County. |