Colin T. Naylor Jr. Archives

As of April 1st, 2022, the 1950 US Census is available for public viewing. Check it out at the link below:

https://1950census.archives.gov/

Interested in learning more about your family’s history in Peekskill or Cortlandt Manor? Set up an appointment to check out the Colin T. Naylor Archives. We have tons of books on local history and genealogy, and newspapers dating back to the 1830s.

1950 Census - Home | 1950 Census The 1950 census records were released by the U.S. National Archives on April 1, 2022. This website provides full access to the 1950 census images, including population schedules, enumeration district maps, and enumeration district descriptions.

Introducing the Peekskill History App! This free app uses mapping technology to allow you to tour around and learn the history of Peekskill at the actual places where history happened! The app was developed by Peekskill resident Trevor Noble in conjunction with Packed Canvas app developers. Check it out! https://www.packedcanvas.com/app/peekskill-history

A piece of Revolutionary War history from our friends at the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society. The Peekskill and Cortlandt areas played a large role during the American Revolution.

This week marked the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. This would be a major point in the start of the American Revolution. During the war that would follow Cortlandt Manor was considered a no man's land during the Revolution the people living in our area were no strangers to soldiers marching and even clashing in their back yards. Even neighbors became pitted against one another as they chose their sides and bandits attacked and stole from travelers and homes. Many who enlisted to support the fight for America's independence lost their lives and the names listed here are those known to be buried in Van Cortlandtville Cemetery.

REVOLUTIONARY CHRISTMAS
A special lecture by Dr. Iris de Rode, PhD
December 20, 2021 at 5:00 pm on Zoom
Zoom link in comments

During the American Revolutionary War, the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, and the Christmas Holidays, did not make their way to the Thirteen Colonies yet.

Celebrating Christmas depended on religious affiliation and which state one was in. While Puritans considered Christmas a dangerous “pagan tradition” and did not celebrate it, Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Moravians, went to church and decorated their home with holly and mistletoe to receive guests for splendid dinners and balls, and gave each other Christmas gifts. Especially in the Southern colonies, celebrations were grand and festive.

While some were celebrating, American soldiers and officers were fighting for their independence. During the war, for George Washington and his men, Christmas meant crossing the Delaware, fighting at Trenton, surviving at Valley Forge. For the French allies, this was different, they celebrated Christmas in America as they would have done in France. In the winters from 1780 to 1783, the French allied officers in America organized grand Christmas dinners, the soldiers got special meals, and some went on sleigh expeditions and squirrel hunts.

Join us Monday, December 20, 2021, at 5:00 pm, for a special online presentation by Dr. Iris de Rode.

This is a free program that is open to the public. Also, please feel free to share this invitation and invite a friend.