'1776 Tavern Night' launches Bedford’s Rev Up 250 with history, drama and reflection

BEDFORD, N.Y. - Bedford officially kicked off its year-long Rev Up 250 celebration on Jan. 30 with 1776 Tavern Night, an immersive evening of history, music and storytelling held at Historical Hall in Bedford Village.

The event transported guests back to the revolutionary era, transforming the hall into “Tavern 1776,” where candlelight, fiddlers and period-inspired food and drink set the stage for a series of historical vignettes performed by costumed actors.

The program brought to life several prominent figures from the era, including John Jay — Founding Father, diplomat, jurist, New York’s first governor and longtime Bedford resident — and his wife, Sarah “Sally” Livingston Jay. Through excerpts from their letters, the audience gained insight into the personal toll of public service during a time of upheaval and uncertainty.

Also featured were Benjamin Franklin, a key negotiator of the Treaty of Paris; Richard Henry Lee, the outspoken Virginian who challenged Jay’s diplomatic approach; and Enoch Crosby, the daring spy recruited by Jay to uncover Loyalist plots in Westchester County.

Grounding the evening in Bedford’s own Revolutionary War experience were portrayals of local residents, including a “Child of Bedford,” who bore witness to the burning of the village, and James Holmes, a member of a prominent local family whose loyalties shifted amid the deep divisions of the time. Together, the stories underscored that the struggle for independence was shaped not only by well-known leaders, but also by ordinary people navigating fear, conscience and conflicting allegiances.

The vignettes highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence — a document that did not inspire unanimous support. Not all colonists favored separation from Great Britain, believed in the idea that “all men are created equal,” or trusted that a new form of government based on the consent of the governed could succeed against the world’s strongest military power.

In addition to the performances, Rev Up 250 coalition members were on hand to announce a lineup of events planned throughout the year. The initiative aims to commemorate historic milestones while encouraging civic engagement and reflection on the ideals that underpin the American experiment, including democracy, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

With its blend of drama, local history and community participation, 1776 Tavern Night set the tone for a year of programming designed to invite residents to lean into the shared principles that shaped the nation — and continue to shape Bedford today.

To learn more about Rev Up 250, visit bedfordny.gov/1889/Rev-Up-250