As part of Dutchess County’s ongoing Rev250 celebration — which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 — Destination Dutchess, the Dutchess County Department of History and us at Fishkill Farms will be collaborating to host a Revolutionary Cider Celebration on June 28, 2025!

It will be a day filled with Revolutionary War and Colonial-era history, hayrides, farm experiences and sparkling/hard cider!

Here’s a timeline for the day’s events:

• 11 a.m., Orchard Talk Hayride and Q&A with Josh Morgenthau, Owner and Operator

• 12 p.m., Presentation by Cider Historian Mark Turdo, “to be found in every house: Cider in 18th Century America”

• 12:45 p.m., 18th Century Food Taste & Talk with Dutchess County Historian, William P. Tatum III, PhD, and Boutique Wines, Spirits & Ciders

• 1:30 p.m., Orchard Talk Hayride and Q&A with Josh Morgenthau, Owner and Operator

• 2:30 p.m., Presentation by Cider Historian Mark Turdo, “To be found in every house: Cider in 18th Century America”

• 3:15 and 4:30 p.m., Jonathan Kruk, the Hudson Valley’s master storyteller, will regale families with Tales of Revolutionary Dutchess County and a dramatic reading of The Declaration of Independence. Stories will include:

• Sybil Ludington’s Revered Ride
• The Beacon Fires during the Battle of the Hudson Highlands
• A story skit for children: The Legend of Polly Pell (Bannerman’s Island)
• The Great Chain Across the Hudson that held together the new nation
• Strange Stories from the Fishkill Supply Depot

Jonathan Kruk

Jonathan has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, The Today Show, and the Travel and History channels, as well as at local schools, libraries, and historic sites.

While you’re at Fishkill Farms on June 28, be sure to enjoy these other fun activities:

• The Treasury Cider Bar will offer flights of four ciders of your choice on their outside cider deck for $12. Treasury will also be celebrating the release of Counterpane, its cherry and stone fruit cider featuring notes of cherry pie, cinnamon, white peach, floral, marzipan, and vanilla. Huzzah!

• You can pick your own fruit, as Fishkill Farms expects to have the following fruits in-season (subject to change): cherries (eco-certified); peaches/nectarines (eco-certified); blueberries (organic); raspberries (organic); and currants (organic). Reservations are required for pick-your-own; click here to make reservations.

• Make sure to stop by the Farm Store, where you will find farm-fresh fruits and vegetables grown right on-site, as well as a variety of locally produced meat, fish, cheese, yogurt, honey, maple syrup, coffee, tea, and so much more!

• Pose for photos with Destination Dutchess’ very own “Commander in Cheers” and listen to stories of Dutchess County’s revolutionary heroics as told by a pint-sized, augmented reality version of George Washington — also known as “Tiny George.”

Admission to the event is free, and it will be held rain or shine.