NEW YORK—Muskets were fired by men in Continental Army uniforms as New Yorkers celebrated the 235th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Washington at Fort Tryon Park on Sunday.
The park was filled with children who participated in activities like paper hat making, writing with quills, and marching with wooden muskets in army formations.
“I like teaching, like we’re doing here, imparting the history to these kids,” Brian Shay from the 2nd New York Regiment said after a musket firing demonstration. “It’s really about exploring our past and history. I learn as much here as I teach, from other people, from my compatriots. So it’s kind of a learning process on both sides.”
“That’s a bayonet!” one of the children from the crowd pointed out during an explanation.
“Americans at the beginning of the war would sort of throw them away, they would use them to roast meat, they didn’t want to carry them—they’re heavy!” Joseph Cerreto said, explaining Revolutionary War tactics. “It’s really about destroying the other army.”
Actress Erin McGuirk played Margaret Corbin, the “heroine” of the battle in the park, up the hill where the two canons of the American Army were placed.
“There wasn’t much to do but be useful, around that time, when I married my husband John Corbin,” McGuirk said, donning Margaret’s iconic red cape. Margaret’s family had died when she was young, and rather than deal with another loss she insisted she join her husband. “A lot of people ask [about] the red cape—but [John] insisted that he wanted to see where I was at all times.”
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Margaret took over John’s command while tending to him when he was fatally wounded, swabbing and loading the canons. She became the first woman pensioner for military service in the United States.
“Moving up here and seeing signs that said Margaret Corbin, I wondered who that was and what that meant,” McGuirk said.
McGuirk said what drew her to play Margaret was her bravery and her story. “Not only bravery in the face of battle, but right as you’re losing your husband,” she said. “Her heroism, her bravery, and her stamina.”
The event, hosted by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and the Fort Tryon Park Trust, also featured blacksmith Bill Fitzgerald demonstrating how colonists made implements and historian James Renner displaying historical photos and maps.
Lori Uysal, who lives in the neighborhood, has been bringing her 4-year-old twins and 7-year-old to the even for three years in a row.
“They love it!” she said. “It’s a great event for the kids, and so educational.”
Steve Simon, chief of staff from the NYC Parks & Recreation department, comes from the neighborhood as well, and started the event as an annual project in 2003.
“I think this is an important event to commemorate and to remember that the Revolutionary War actually took place in this neighborhood,” Simon said.
