A Visit to Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow, NY

If you’re part of the extended Yerks family — or descended from any of the tenant farmers who once lived and worked in colonial Westchester County — then Philipsburg Manor isn’t just a historical site. It’s a living connection to your past.

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Located in the heart of Sleepy Hollow, Philipsburg Manor is a beautifully restored 18th-century milling and trading complex that offers an immersive experience into the world your ancestors once knew. For generations of tenant farmers like the Yerkses, life under the shadow of the Philipse family meant long days tending to leased land — land that helped fuel the economy of colonial New York and the larger Atlantic world.

A Glimpse into 1700s Life

Philipsburg Manor is more than a museum — it’s a step back in time. Here, you can explore what life looked like for those who lived and worked on a vast 52,000-acre estate run by one of the wealthiest families in colonial New York.

Through powerful storytelling and authentic demonstrations, costumed interpreters bring to life the stories of tenant farmers, merchants, and the enslaved men and women who powered the estate’s economy. This is especially important in understanding the full story of the Manor — a story that includes not only European settlers but also the 23 enslaved Africans who lived and labored at the site around 1750.

Names like Ceaser, Dimond, Sue, and Massy are more than historical footnotes — they are a reminder of the resilience and skill of a community whose legacy deserves to be remembered and honored.

What You’ll See and Do

• The Manor House – The original building, restored to its 18th-century condition, served as the center of Philipse business operations.

• The Gristmill & Wharf – See a reconstructed, working water-powered gristmill, operated historically by enslaved millers. Learn how grain was processed and shipped via sloop along the Hudson.

• The Activity Center – Explore African and European traditions and how these cultures mixed and evolved along the Hudson River.

• The Dutch Barn & Animals – Discover the role of agriculture with heritage livestock breeds and a look at how grain crops were stored and processed.

• The Garden – Walk through gardens planted with historic vegetable and herb varieties — just as enslaved individuals might have done to supplement their rations.

• Visitor Center – Stop in for tickets, exhibits, a museum shop, and a relaxing café.

Why It Matters

For descendants of tenant families like the Yerks (or Jurckse), Philipsburg Manor is more than a place to visit — it’s a personal pilgrimage. It represents the lives of those who toiled, planted, harvested, and helped shape a new world, even when their names rarely made it into the history books.

Their stories — and the stories of their neighbors, enslaved and free — deserve to be remembered. And there’s no better way to honor them than by walking in their footsteps, seeing the landscape they knew, and reflecting on how their sacrifices and struggles helped build the world we live in today.

Plan Your Visit

Philipsburg Manor is open seasonally and offers guided tours, events, and special programming throughout the year.