Stony Point Battlefield
Encyclopedia
Stony Point
Battlefield is the location of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point
during the American Revolutionary War
. It is a National Historic Landmark
.
The site was purchased and preserved in the late 1890s, and opened to the public in 1902.
A flying stunt was flown during the July 16, 1929 sesquicentennial of the Stony Point Battlefield, in front of a crowd of over 8,000 dignitaries. A number of traditional military units were on display, including the “US Horse Artillery,” the “First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry” and various infantry army and National Guard units. In comparison to these 18th and 19th century horse and foot-transportation methods, “A modern feature was the flying over the battlefield during the exercises, of an airplane piloted by Mrs. Opal Kunz
, who dropped an American flag.” “During the ceremonies, Mrs. Kunz flew alone from the Newark, NJ Airport, in her airplane, the “Betsy Ross
” over Stony Point, and from an altitude of 1,000 feet dropped several hundred small American flags, and also a larger one, weighted, which fell upon the battlefield.”
A museum was built on the site in 1936, and in the 1940s the Palisades Interstate Park Commission
took over administration of the battlefield and began to acquire more of the surrounding area.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1961.,
By the 1980s, the park encompassed all public land on the peninsula, including the historic Stony Point Lighthouse
, built in 1826.
The site is now operated as Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, and includes the museum with exhibits about the battle and the lighthouse. The park offers interpretive programs including 18th century military life, cannon and musket firings, cooking demonstrations, nature walks, guided tours of the battlefield, and children's activities.
The park is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays 1pm to 5 pm. It is accessible from U.S. Route 9W
just north of the Village of Stony Point
.
Stony Point, New York
Stony Point is a triangle-shaped town in Rockland County, United States. Rockland County is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The town is located north of the town of Haverstraw, east and south of Orange County, New York, and west of the Hudson River and Westchester County. The population...
Battlefield is the location of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point
Battle of Stony Point
The Battle of Stony Point was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on the night of July 15–16, 1779. A select force of Continental Army infantry made a coordinated surprise night attack and stormed a fortified position of the British Army on the Hudson River south of West Point, New...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. It is a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
The site was purchased and preserved in the late 1890s, and opened to the public in 1902.
A flying stunt was flown during the July 16, 1929 sesquicentennial of the Stony Point Battlefield, in front of a crowd of over 8,000 dignitaries. A number of traditional military units were on display, including the “US Horse Artillery,” the “First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry” and various infantry army and National Guard units. In comparison to these 18th and 19th century horse and foot-transportation methods, “A modern feature was the flying over the battlefield during the exercises, of an airplane piloted by Mrs. Opal Kunz
Opal Kunz
Opal Kunz, also known as Opal van Zandt Giberson Kunz was a noted early American aviator, the first president of the "Ninety-Nines", a women pilots’ organization, that was formed in her living room, and an early feminist. She was married to Dr. George Frederick Kunz.As an aviatrix, Opal Kunz...
, who dropped an American flag.” “During the ceremonies, Mrs. Kunz flew alone from the Newark, NJ Airport, in her airplane, the “Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross is widely credited with making the first American flag. There is, however, no credible historical evidence that the story is true.-Early life:...
” over Stony Point, and from an altitude of 1,000 feet dropped several hundred small American flags, and also a larger one, weighted, which fell upon the battlefield.”
A museum was built on the site in 1936, and in the 1940s the Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Palisades Interstate Park Commission
Palisades Interstate Park and its creator, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, was formed in 1900 by governors Theodore Roosevelt of New York and Foster M. Voorhees of New Jersey in response to the destruction of the Palisades by quarry operators in the late 19th century...
took over administration of the battlefield and began to acquire more of the surrounding area.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1961.,
By the 1980s, the park encompassed all public land on the peninsula, including the historic Stony Point Lighthouse
Stony Point Lighthouse
For the lighthouse on Lake Ontario, see Stony Point Light.The Stony Point Light is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. It is located at the Stony Point Battlefield in Stony Point, New York....
, built in 1826.
The site is now operated as Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, and includes the museum with exhibits about the battle and the lighthouse. The park offers interpretive programs including 18th century military life, cannon and musket firings, cooking demonstrations, nature walks, guided tours of the battlefield, and children's activities.
The park is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays 1pm to 5 pm. It is accessible from U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W is a north–south U.S. Highway in the states of New Jersey and New York. It begins on Fletcher Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey as it crosses the US 1 & 9, US 46, and the Interstate 95 approaches to the George Washington Bridge, where it heads north up the west...
just north of the Village of Stony Point
Stony Point, New York
Stony Point is a triangle-shaped town in Rockland County, United States. Rockland County is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The town is located north of the town of Haverstraw, east and south of Orange County, New York, and west of the Hudson River and Westchester County. The population...
.