Celebrating Evacuation Day with a Walking Tour and Events at Federal Hall

Evacuation Day was an annual local holiday in New York City. It was given equal, or even greater importance than the Fourth of July. Celebrating the departure, or evacuation of British troops from New York following the Revolutionary War, November 25th was observed from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.

On November 25, 1783 the British military officially withdrew from New York City ending its occupation by British forces and marking the end of the American Revolution and a beginning for this fledgling country, the United States of America.

Meeting Place:  The Fountain in City Hall Park 

After an approximately 100 minute guided walking in Lower Manhattan, we'll visit Federal Hall on Wall Street to partake in Evacuation Day activities organized by the National Park Service (see schedule below).

Pictured is an artist's rendering of George Washington making his triumphant return to lower Manhattan. He's on Wall Street near the first U.S. Capitol, Federal Hall, where he will eventually be sworn in as our first President. After the Revolutionary War, Evacuation Day was celebrated with military parades, patriotic oratories, fireworks and banquets.

The centennial of the day was one of the greatest events ever seen in New York City. Statues that we will see on our walk were unveiled in honor of the event in 1883. During the course of this guided walk we'll stop at key locations associated with the American Revolution and our early history.

This year, the National Park Service (NPS) will mark the 236th Anniversary of Evacuation Day with a day of special programming on Friday, November 29th at Federal Hall at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. We will end our walking tour at Federal Hall in time for all to partake in some of the events.

I am also happy to arrange an optional group brunch around 2:30pm at Fraunces Tavern (corner of Broad and Pearl Streets), which is a restaurant, bar and museum, and the building where George Washington held a celebratory dinner with his officers.

Here's the schedule at Federal Hall which is open to the public (free admission).

Evacuation Day Commemoration

The National Park Service will mark the 236th Anniversary of Evacuation Day

With a day of special programming at Federal Hall NM Federal from 9:00 am—4:30 PM

Early American Balladeer 10:00 am—3:30 pm, John Peter Zenger Gallery

New Jersey Fifes and Drums 10:00 am, Front Steps

Interpretation of Historic Maps 10:00 am—3:30pm, Rotunda

Tory Perspective on Evacuation Day 10:00am—3:30 pm, Rotunda

General George Washington’s Perspective on Evacuation Day 10:00am—3:30 pm, Rotunda

Alexander Hamilton’s Perspective on Evacuation Day 10:00am—3:30 pm, Rotunda

American Scottish Foundation 10:00 am—3:30pm, Rotunda

New Jersey Fifes and Drums 11:00am—11:30 am, Rotunda

Veterans Corp Artillery Flag Presentation 11:45—12:30pm, Rotunda PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Early American Balladeer 10:00 am—3:30 pm in the Rotunda

Interpretation of Historic Maps 10:00 am—3:30pm in the Rotunda

Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks 10:00 am and 3:00 pm on the Front Steps

Hearts of Oak Musicians with Fife & Drum 10:30 am and 2:30 pm on the Front Steps

Veterans Corp Artillery Flag Presentation 11:00 am in the Rotunda

Hearts of Oak Uniformed Soldiers with Drill and Marching 12:00 pm in the Zenger Gallery

General George Washington’s perspective on Evacuation Day 1:00pm, Zenger Gallery

Tory perspective on Evacuation Day 2:00 pm in the Zenger Gallery