Ossining and Croton-On-Hudson

Ossining town and village are virtually one diverse community built on rolling hills overlooking the Hudson River-even most residents are unable to distinguish the boundary between the two. It was named Ossining in 1901 after a boycott of prison-made goods hurt businesses in the town.

Still the site of Sing Sing Prison, Ossining boasts a Crescent on Main Street (unfortunately partially destroyed by fire) that has been a business center since right after the Revolutionary War. A stroll through the center of town, which includes four magnificent churches, several former grand banks and the remarkable Squire House, is a travel back in time, with glimpses of the Hudson and its beautiful western banks.

Attractions

Ossining Heritage Center - Joseph G. Caputo Community Center: A well-displayed audio-visual exhibit on the Old Croton Aqueduct. Another on Sing Sing prison, gives an almost authentic feeling of what it is like to "be sent up the river." Free. Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Saturday. 95 Broadway. (914) 941-3189.

Ossining Historical Society Museum - Listed on the National Register as "The Richard Austin House," the museum contains 19th and 20th century decorative arts, costumes and Native American artifacts, plus a Victorian dollhouse. An oil painting of "View of Croton Point," by former Ossining resident Robert Havell, engraver for James Audubon, is, alone, worth the trip. Often, another Ossining treasure, Historian Roberta Arminio can be found at work upstairs. The museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits and often sponsors appropriate lectures at the Ossining Library. Open 2 - 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, and by appointment. 196 Croton Avenue. (914) 941-0001.

Jug Tavern and Sparta - An even earlier community than Ossining, and now included in its boundaries, Sparta is a National Register Historic District. The Jug Tavern is often considered the oldest building in the area, and is the headquarters for monthly walking tours of the distinctive hamlet. Revolutionary Road. (914) 941-2877 or (914) 762-0295.

Sparta Cemetery - An easy walk from Jug Tavern, Sparta Cemetery is ideal for browsing with its quaint headstones and opportunities for fantasizing about legends. With only a little familiarity with Ossining history one can recognize the ghosts of newspaper publishers, former slaves, Union soldiers and the legendary "Leatherman." Revolutionary Road and Route 9.

Maryknoll Center - world headquarters for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America since the 1920s. Almost a community, with its own zip code, in itself. Maryknoll is considered the largest structure with an oriental-motif in the country - one of the building's distinctive towers, with its Chinese pagoda-style roof, has become a familiar image to millions of people throughout the world. Through the years, thousands of the Missionary Society's supporters have visited the Ossining center. An exhibition of missionaries' memorabilia was opened in June, 2000. Somerstown Road. (914) 941-7590.

Sing Sing Correctional Facility - In 1825 construction of the prison was initiated. It was considered an ideal location because local stone, or "Sing Sing marble" could be quarried and used in the building; it was close to water transportation and accessible to New York City. Plans are being made to open an interpretive center, near the prison, for visitors.

Recreation

Teatown Lake Reservation - Named when a group of women demanded a share of a grocer's stashed tea during Revolutionary War days, Teatown Reservation is now a large nature preserve, with its own educational center. A carefully nurtured Wildflower Island is open regularly for guided tours through spring, summer and fall. Naturalists give presentations on maple-sugaring, birds of prey, reptiles, bees, honey-making and more. Many hiking trails through hilly terrain, hardwood forests, wetlands and around the lake are open daily from dawn to dusk. Indoor exhibits provide fascinating glimpses of nature collections and an excellent small store is overloaded with great souvenirs - including "tea." Many events, including a pancake breakfast to sample the maple syrup, fairs, and family days are scheduled -- see Calendar of Events. 1600 Spring Valley Road. (914) 762-2912.

Old Croton Aqueduct State Park - Ossining is the only place where visitors may actually enter the aqueduct, through the Weir Chamber, used to spill off waste water during floods. Tours are arranged occasionally -- watch the Calendar of Events. There is access to the Aqueduct off Main Street, at Nelson and Gerlach Parks, and a small parking area just south-west of Dominican Sisters of Hope on North Highland Avenue. When the Aqueduct crosses Beach Road hikers may detour to the west to the Crawbuckie Nature Preserve, a 12-acre loop down to the railroad tracks. The Aqueduct is owned and managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and offers a scenic walk from northern Westchester County to New York City. The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct have published an award-winning map detailing the route of the trail and attractions along the way. It is available, for $4.50, in Ossining from the Ossining Heritage Center, or by calling 693-4117.

"Crossining" - The pedestrian bridge which parallels the automobile bridge over Route 9 between Ossining and Croton, was whimsically named "Crossining" by Ossining's Supervisor during the opening celebration in 1999. It provides wonderful views of the brackish Croton River as it flows through marshlands to the Hudson, with a few interpretive signs posted along the way.

Croton-on-Hudson

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson has a history of welcoming a diversity of newcomers to its almost five square miles set between the Hudson and Croton Rivers. Kitchawanc Native Americans are supposed to have greeted Henry Hudson himself on the shores of Croton Point, and later allowed the Tellers, one of the first European families to arrive, to farm on the promontory.

The Van Cortlandt family, whose Manor House is open regularly to visitors, entertained notables including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin during tumultuous times. Passengers on the Hudson River Railroad Line have noted what is fondly referred to as a "Railroad Town," as they paused for a train change.

Honored by the Hudson River Greenway by receiving the first "Visions in Planning" award in 2004, Croton-on-Hudson offers modern visitors even more variety, with its network of hiking trails throughout the village, linking with the Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway State Park and a pedestrian and biking bridge, "Crossining," to neighboring Ossining.

New trails line the Hudson River, with plans in place to extend them even further north. Construction of a road, on the western side of the tracks, from Half Moon Bay condominiums to north of the village's Senasqua Park, allows public access to the trails and canoe launch. Bird watchers have exceptional opportunities to add to their personal lists with two Audubon sanctuaries, and Croton Point Park combined with the return of bald eagles to the Hudson Valley.

Attractions

Van Cortlandt Manor: This pre-Revolutionary War estate was established on the shores of the Croton River by the Van Cortlandt family, with the fortune established in the brewery business. The family became prominent in New York state politics. A visit to the Manor House is a triple-treat -- the elegant antique furniture of the main house contrasts with the more robust Ferry House, plus there is a walk through well-manicured, historic, gardens to contemplate the difference. Tours, open-hearth cooking workshops, holiday candle-light tours, and special events are offered throughout the year. Van Cortlandt Manor is open daily, April through October (except Tuesdays) from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on weekends and for holiday events in November and December. South Riverside Avenue. (914) 631-8200.

Bethel Chapel: Surrounded by historic Bethel Cemetery, Bethel Chapel is thought to have been built in 1780 on land donated by Philip Van Cortlandt. It was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The simple wood clapboard structure, contains an organ said to be the oldest in the United States. Although the chapel is only open on special occasions, the cemetery with its old graves and vistas of the Hudson River, make it worth a visit. One can almost visualize Thorton Wilder's "Our Town." Old Post Road South, opposite Croton-Harmon High School.

Croton Historical Society: Maintains rotating exhibitions of local memorabilia at the Museum Room of the Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive. Open during library hours. (914) 271-4574.

Recreation

Croton Point Park: The crown jewel of parks along the Hudson River and now the venue of the renowned Clearwater Revival in June. It offers tent, RV and cabin camping from May through October. The Croton Point Nature Center contains collections of the Material Laboratory for Archaeology and some of the natural wonders of the park. Many special walks, talks and events are offered during the year, including an annual shad fest, but individuals can visit any time to picnic, explore, fish, or climb to the top of the hill to wonder at the expanse of the river.

The park is within walking distance of the Croton-Harmon train station. Parking is $8, without a Westchester County park pass. The beach is open for swimming from mid-June - Labor Day. Cross-country skiing, weather permitting. Canoe launch, with fee. Croton Point Avenue, (914) 862-5290/1.

Brinton Brook Sanctuary, Saw Mill River Audubon Society: A mixed habitat of open meadow, red maple swamp and upland with deciduous forest and a five-acre pond. Bring binoculars. On Route 9A, 3/10 of a mile north of Sky View Nursing Home to a small SMRAS sign at gravel road on right. Follow drive about 300 yards to entrance sign and parking. (914) 666-6503.

Old Croton Aqueduct State Park: The trailway is accessible from Croton by taking Route 9 south over the Croton River to a small entrance just south of Mariandale in Ossining. Mostly an even walking trail, it follows the path of the aqueduct that was once used to bring fresh water from the Croton River to New York City. It is owned and managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct have published an award-winning map detailing the route of the trail and attractions along the way. Call (914) 693-4117.

MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES

Follow this link to a listing of museums and historic sites in the area, including Washington Irving’s home Sunnyside; the early-18th century farm Philipse Manor; and Kykiut, a Rockefeller family home.