In honor of Women’s History Month, the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society will present “Shadow Patriots: Lady Spies of War” presented by the Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the The Little Red Schoolhouse at 297 Locust Avenue in Cortlandt from 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
The brave Patriots were members of a proud sorority of women of every color and creed who risked their lives to make America strong and to create a better future for all of us. Hear how these forgotten Shadow Patriots helped turned the tide of war. Each attendee will receive a “top secret” envelope which cannot be opened until the end of the program. Will there be a message (prize) inside or will yours be written in invisible ink?
Cynthia Kauffman, founder of Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy Inc., will be in period attire and play the role of Anne Fisher Miller, recollecting the time she hosted George Washington in her home during the Battle of White Plains. Throughout the fun, informative, and interactive multimedia presentation, Cynthia will illustrate the role played by “Lady Spies of War.” The audience will be involved as well and there may even be a spy among you, but no one will know until the end. Will there be a Loyalist in the room or will it be a roomful of Patriots?
Ann and Elijah Miller were an average colonial Westchester family who lived in an 18th century Rhode Island-style farmhouse in North White Plains. During the American Revolution their lives, their home and their involvement in the war changed forever when the Battle of White Plains took place virtually outside their door in October of 1776. It was their home at 140 Virginia Road that General Washington used as a Revolutionary War headquarters and command post during the Battle of White Plains.
Throughout Washington’s time at their home, Ann Fisher Miller made sure he had whatever he needed. As the Revolution continued, it was Ann’s daughters who in 1778 carried clandestine notes for Washington. During the war, secret ink notes looked to the average person like an ordinary letter, but when a chemical agent was put on the paper, the secret ink note would appear, showing locations, maps, and other prominent information intended only for the recipient of the letter. The secret spy network of the American Revolution was extremely extensive.
The program is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5 for non-members, but no one will be turned away. For more information, visit vancort.net or call 914-736-7868. Follow the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society on Facebook.
The Miller House
The Miller House was acquired as a historic house by Westchester County in 1917 and was turned into the museum that it remains today. The house is owned by the County and operated by the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. In 2019, the Miller House was reopened after an extensive renovation that involved not only Westchester County but also Friends of the Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters and Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy. The Miller House is on the National Register of Historic Places. Washington’s Headquarters Museum, also known as the Miller House, is an 18th-century style farmhouse that served as a command post during the Battle of White Plains in 1776.
For more information on the Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy, visit their website and follow them on Facebook. For more information on the Miller House, visit Friends of the Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters website and follow them on Facebook.
Don’t forget to share this article and let everyone know that you read about it in the Peekskill Herald.
Visit the Peekskill Herald Events Calendar Features and the Peekskill Herald Event Calendar to see more local events or to add your event.
Subscribe and donate to the Peekskill Herald and receive the latest news, stories, and featured events daily into your inbox.
