She’s back in the saddle—and back where she belongs.
Sybil Ludington, perhaps the most famous figure in Putnam County Revolutionary War history, will once again take her place on the shores of Lake Gleneida in Carmel Hamlet following the restoration of the bronze statue commemorating her legendary ride, a landmark that has long stood as one of Putnam County’s defining historic monuments.
The statue made its way from Kent with a full police escort and returned to its lakeside pedestal on Friday, July 3, just in time for the America 250 celebration.
This spring and early summer, the statue received its first comprehensive restoration in decades.
In the days leading up to the event, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said the historic monument—created by renowned sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington—had undergone a professional cleaning and restoration designed to preserve it for future generations.
Officials said the project restored the statue’s original bronze appearance and was timed to be completed by Independence Day.
On its way back home, the Ludington statue was escorted by local police, firefighters and emergency personnel before being reinstalled on its pedestal along Gleneida Avenue.
Residents came out to watch the procession from several locations along Route 52, including Kent Elementary School, the ShopRite Plaza, the Historic Courthouse and the shores of Lake Gleneida.
Byrne was joined for the ceremony by Putnam County Historian Jennifer Cassidy, along with representatives of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Carmel Police Department, Kent Police Department, Carmel Fire Department, Lake Carmel Fire Department and Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
As the statue resumed its rightful place, Byrne thanked those who brought it back to its original glory.
"We have a lot of people who are critical to this restoration effort, from DPW [Department of Public Works], the Historian’s Office, [Kent-based sculptor who did the restoration] Michael Keropian and his team, and the Kent Highway Department. All these people played a critical role in restoring Sybil Ludington, saving the Sybil Ludington statue," Byrne said.
"Our friends from the Daughters of the American Revolution are going to put in a time capsule, so the next time Putnam County needs to step up, come together and restore Sybil, they’re going to see what was documented in America 250."
Byrne then led the gathering in a round of applause for the DAR, who "gifted this statue back to us in 1985" after its original installation in 1961.
While Sybil is now back in place for America 250, there’s another celebration on the horizon: 2027 will mark the 250th anniversary of her 1777 ride, when the 16-year-old reportedly rode through the night to alert her father’s militia after British troops attacked Danbury, helping rally local forces to respond.
"Be sure to join us in April 2027 when we rededicate this fine statue," Byrne said. "And thanks to everyone involved."
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