Many people don�t realize just how much African American history there is in Westchester County, NY.

Westchester was home to the most popular female jazz singer in the U.S., America�s first self-made millionairess, and one of the first free black communities in the country. Twenty-three enslaved Africans provided the labor to operate a milling complex, bake house, farm and dairy in what is now Sleepy Hollow; church members in Tarrytown sheltered fugitive slaves; and soldiers who would otherwise have been slaves fought to their death defending American liberties.

The new African American Heritage Trail brochure links together 13 of the more significant sites throughout Westchester County. The 12-page publication includes a map, addresses, phone numbers, hours, and a detailed history of each site, making the sites easier to visit.

�Westchester County is rich in African American history, but it had never before been organized and linked together so it�s clear and easy to understand,� said County Executive Andy Spano. �Visiting these sites is a good way to see and feel firsthand some of what people went through to bring us to where we are today.�

The Westchester County Office of Tourism produced the brochure in tandem with several other county departments. The trail is the culmination of several years of work by Westchester County�s African American Advisory Board and the county�s planning and parks departments.

Trail sites, buildings and locations were selected to reflect the actions and experiences of African Americans dating back to the 17th century. Philipsburg Manor, a historic site in the village of Sleepy Hollow, is one of the major locations on the trail. Philipsburg Manor tells the story of the 23 enslaved Africans who operated the farm and milling complex from the 1680s through the middle of the 18th century. Like many of the other sites, Philipsburg Manor is a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to Philipsburg Manor, sites include Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers; Jay Heritage Center in Rye; John Jay Homestead in Katonah; St. Paul�s Church in Mount Vernon; the Chappaqua Friends Meeting House; Villa Lewaro, a private house in Irvington; Foster Memorial AME Zion Church in Tarrytown; the Monument to the First Rhode Island Regiment in Yorktown; the Jack Peterson Memorial in Croton; the Ella Fitzgerald Statue in Yonkers; the African Cemetery in Rye and the Stoney Hill Cemetery in Harrison.

To request a free copy of the African American Heritage Trail brochure, call the Office of Tourism at (914) 995-8500 or 1(800) 833-9282; e-mail Tourism@westchestergov.com, or visit www.westchestertourism.com. Other publications, such as the Westchester County Travel Guide, Gardens brochure, and Outdoor Adventure brochure are also available.

#####