Programs

Join us for a special screening of Calico Rebellion: The Anti-Rent War and the Second American Revolution, an award-winning documentary that brings to life one of New York’s most dramatic but often overlooked chapters of history. In the lush woods of New York State’s Catskill Mountains, an almost mythical memory lives on. Of a time when men—armed with rifles and pitchforks, disguised in spooky masks and gowns—descended from bucolic hills to stage the Anti-Rent War, or “Second American Revolution,” as they called it, to challenge the unbridled power of the patroons. That farmers’ uprising 180 years ago changed the course of American history. Today it lives on through direct descendants of those rebellious farmers, through their stories, songs, and eerie costumes preserved since the 1840s. 

Following the film, the filmmaker, members of the production team, and the Anti-Renters' direct descendants will lead a moderated discussion with the audience, offering insight into the making of the film, the legacy of the Anti-Rent movement, and the individuals who continue to preserve this story today. Learn more: www.calicorebellion.com

This program is presented as part of New York State History Month, a time to celebrate and reflect on the people, events, and movements that shaped our state and nation.