Restored Sybil statue to be unveiled
A statue of Sybil Ludington, the local teenage hero of the Revolutionary War, who went even farther than the 41-year-old Paul Revere to rally the troops as the British approached (40 miles to his 20-mile ride), has been undergoing a proper restoration over the past several weeks.
“The legend of Sybil Ludington is deeply rooted in Putnam County’s identity, and this restoration project is about more than preserving a statue, it’s about preserving a legacy,” noted Putnam County Historian Jennifer Cassidy.
Officials say the bronze statue depicting Ludington on her ride, which was originally unveiled in 1961, underwent surface cleaning, patina restoration, and protective finishing. The statue’s fieldstone pedestal was also inspected and repaired by the Putnam County Department of Public Works, and additional site enhancements including native plantings and landscaping improvements have been implemented in coordination with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the Brewster/Carmel Garden Club.
Restoration is expected to be completed by July 3, 2025, with Sybil receiving a special police escort to her usual spot at Lake Gleneida at 15 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel.
Take a Revolutionary trip around Putnam
Take a free, drivable audio tour of Sybil’s ride, along with other stops highlighting Putnam County contributions to the Revolutionary War efforts, with The Revolutionary Road to Putnam County, narrated by Putnam County philanthropist George Carroll Whipple III.
According to Putnam Tourism, highlights of the tour include a new perspective of Ludington’s midnight run, which rallied militia after the burning of nearby Danbury. Participants can also hear the treasonous story of Major General Benedict Arnold and visit the Boscobel House & Gardens, the dream house of wealthy Loyalists. Guests will also learn about Black History during the Revolution and learn about a local stop The Bird & Bottle Inn, a Revolutionary War-era tavern still operating on Old Albany Post Road in Garrison. The audio tour is available for download for Apple & Android Phones. Revolutionary Road to Putnam County | TravelStorys
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