In December of 1680, twenty-two men from Stamford, Connecticut founded the town of Bedford. They met with Chief Katonah and purchased fur coats, blankets, and a tract of land that was three square miles. That area is known as “Hopp Ground” and is on the Mianus River. They then set out to settle, what is now known as Bedford, and built a grist mill, a cemetery, and a meeting house. There was a large area in the center known as the Village Green, which remains today, but 1/3 the size of the original Green. Many of the buildings around the Village Green are of historic value and have been preserved, adding to the Colonial charm of Bedford.

Most people are not aware that Bedford was part of Connecticut in 1697 and it wasn’t until England’s King William issued a royal degree in 1700, to settle a boundary dispute, that Bedford became part of New York.

The town continued to grow during the Colonial period and served as the Westchester County seat during the Revolutionary War. The county seat was shared with White Plains until Bedford was burned by the British on July 11, 1779. Not only were the town buildings burned, but all the surrounding houses. The Court House in Bedford Village, built in 1787 and renovated in the 1960s, is Westchester County’s oldest government building and is maintained by the Bedford Historical Society. The town of Bedford now consists of three separate and distinct hamlets, Katonah, Bedford Hills, and Bedford Village. Bedford Village is known for its elegant country estates, horse farms, community neighborhoods and weekend hideaways. It is a very desirable place to live because it has maintained its historic buildings and Colonial charm. Let me know if you would like to explore Bedford Village. SonjaLovas.HoulihanLawrence.com

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

While I spent time in Bedford Village last weekend and enjoyed the artwork on display throughout the Village I picked up a flyer of future additional Saturday Events sponsored by the Bedford Village Business Association.

Some of the Merchants include: Bedford Wines, Jewel Corner, Bubble & Tweet Kid’s Clothes, Bedford Florist, Bedford Gourmet, Perennial Gardens “Plants & Things,” Consider the Cook - Food Accessories and Near & Natural Foods. Additional Sponsors are Carol JW Kurth - AIA Architects, and Margaret Wilson & Co. Interior Design and The Bedford Historical Society.

On Saturday May 23rd - there is the “Kick Off Memorial Day Weekend w/ Pizza & Tasties” - Wood Fired pizza and various tastings around Bedford Village.

On Friday-Saturday-Sunday June 12th-14th - it will be Bedford Sales Days with sales tables from the local merchants.

On Saturday July 11th - Revisit “The Burning of Bedford” - a reenactment of an event which occurred during the Revolutionary War. Details will follow on this event. Perhaps start or end your day with a meal at Richard Gere’s restored “Bedford Post Restaurant” which is housed in the only building in Bedford that survived the fire set by the British throughout the village.

Of course it may be the perfect time to see and enjoy our entire area: Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, Katonah, Pound Ridge, Bedford Corners, Mt. Kisco, North & South Salem and Waccabuc. There are many lovely properties on the Market right now so just let me know your “Real Estate Wish List” in advance!

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom