Backed by a life-sized bronze of the 16-year-old equestrian, County Executive Kevin Byrne helped lead a rally for the restoration of Carmel Hamlet’s Sybil Ludington statue on Oct. 12. The collaborative event was organized by the county’s Revolutionary Putnam Advisory Committee, a body headed by volunteer co-chairs former Gov. George Pataki and philanthropist and local history advocate George Whipple.
Byrne’s remarks at the hourlong afternoon event included praise for state and private funding sponsors supplementing the $50,000 he proposed in the 2026 executive budget capital plan to refurbish the 1961 statue, including Sen. Pete Harckham and Whipple. A petition collected at the event’s conclusion is expected to elicit additional funds to clean and update the 4,000-pound likeness of Ludington atop her faithful steed, Star.
In addition, the Putnam County Department of Public Works will distribute and install reflective metal stars and “Sybil’s Ride” destination signs along portions of her 40-mile route this month to raise awareness about the heroine’s historic April 1777 journey to warn patriots — some led by county namesake Gen. Israel Putnam — of an impending British attack on a military supply depot in Danbury.
For more information on Putnam’s colonial wartime history, and upcoming local events for the nation’s 250th anniversary, visit revolutionaryputnam.org.
Article courtesy of the Putnam County Executive's Office
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