During the winter of 1782-1783, 7,500 Continental Army soldiers established a temporary camp at New Windsor, New York. Among them were countless numbers of soldiers of African descent, who joined of their own free will, or as substitutes for people who claimed ownership of them. Using documentary evidence, we'll meet some of these remarkable soldiers and learn about their contributions at what would be the last encampment of the American Revolutionary War.

Speaker's Biography: Matthew Thorenz is Local History Librarian, and Head of Reference and Adult Services at the Moffat Library of Washingtonville. In addition to his work as a librarian and archivist, he is also an independent historian, who worked as a museum educator at New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site for 7 years, when he conducted this research. Matthew received his BA in History and Anthropology from SUNY New Paltz in 2010, and his Masters in Information Science from SUNY Albany in 2012. He has published several articles on the American Revolution, and World War One in the Hudson Valley in the Hudson River Valley Review Journal and in June 2020 he published his first book Images of America: Blooming Grove & Washingtonville for Arcadia Publishing.

Please note: Masks are required to attend this event.

Space is extremely limited. Visitors must register in advance.