The Pocantico River flows into the millpond, over the water wheel and then out to the nearby Hudson River.

As I was waiting for the tour to begin, I spotted these kayakers (if that’s the right word for someone in a kayak?) and thought that, with the mill in the background it would make a nice photograph.

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II

I’ve been to Philipsburg Manor a number of times, usually with visiting friends or families. We usually do the tour and then leave so I haven’t had the opportunity to just walk around and take pictures. Above: Approaching the bridge to the property.

Recently, however, I became a member of Historic Hudson Valley, which, among a host of other benefits gives me free tours of Philipsburg Manor. So I went over to have a look around.

I was still required to register for the tour, which I took as far as the mill. The next stop was the interior of the house, which I’d seen this a number of times already and didn’t’ feel the need to see it again. In any case they don’t allow photography inside the house. So I left the tour and went for a walk around.

The three main buildings. From left to right: the mill; the manor house; the stable. There’s actually a fourth one (A tenant farmer’s dwelling), but you can’t see it from here.

One of the re-enactors/guides crossing the walkway. Possibly a better view of the main buildings.

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II

“Cross the millpond bridge to Philipsburg Manor, a mill and trading complex where an enslaved community lived and labored for generations.

Learn about the enslaved individuals who worked on the property in the year 1750, and whose family relationships and personal histories are revealed in primary documents.

Step into the gristmill and learn about the life of Caesar, the enslaved miller, whose unmatched expertise contributed to the wealth of the Philipse family but benefited him not at all.

Visit the dairy in the cellar of the Manor House, where a commercial butter production was operated by Dina, Massey and Sue, three of the women enslaved by the Philipses at the site.

Discover the many ways the enslaved community at Philipsburg Manor maintained family networks, shared their cultural heritage, and expressed their fundamental humanity in opposition to the inhumane system that bound them.”
So reads the Philipsburg Manor Website.

It’s quite close to where I live. Walk-able even, if you don’t mind a four-hour round-trip walk, mostly along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. I’ve done it a few times.

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II