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Songs and Music of the Revolution
Songs and Music of the Revolution
The Washington County Historical Society will present a program of Songs and Music of the Revolution performed by Cambridge musician Tim Kavanaugh. The event will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bottskill Baptist Church, 26 Church Street in Greenwich, N.Y.
Tim Kavanaugh first became interested and involved in music of the Revolutionary War in 1975, when he was invited by friends and folklorists George and Vaughn Ward to help research and perform music from the period, and particularly of the Northern Campaign 0f 1777 under the request and sponsorship of Saratoga National Historical Park.
After researching various collections and libraries, including the New York State Historical Society in Cooperstown, the New York State Library and Archives in Albany, the Folklore Archive of the Library of Congress in Washington, and the park library and archive at Saratoga NHP, the trio put together a program that they performed at the park, and surrounding schools and venues in celebration of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution in 1976.
Utilizing period music is a unique and valuable form of historic interpretation, as it is usually primary source documents presented in an entertaining format. Everyone from kids to grandparents enjoy music and even those who say they don’t care for history get an enjoyable lesson. The three continued this musical program for another 14 years; and Tim included the use of music in his field interpretation as a USNPS Ranger/Historian at Saratoga, Fort Stanwix, and later, when he served as Chief of Interpretation at Vicksburg NMP.
So now, 50 years later, he is still singing these songs and ballads from 1777, and playing period tunes on the same period instruments he used during the Bicentennial.
Tim Kavanaugh is a former Social Studies teacher, National Park Service Supervisory Park Ranger and Historian, and history buff. He is a member of the Washington County Historical Society, Cambridge Historical Society, and the Washington County 250th Committee. He and his wife, Sandi, live in Cambridge.
Please join us for a rollicking evening of music on September 29th !! The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome to come and enjoy the music and learn about the Revolutionary War. Donations are gladly accepted. If you have any questions, please contact the Washington County Historical Society at 518/747-9108 Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.