Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was a true renaissance man excelling as a scholar, athlete, and artist against the tide of Jim Crow. Through his powerful voice and impassioned activism, Robeson paved the way for the American civil rights movement.

On August 27, 1949, a concert headlining Paul Robeson to benefit the Harlem chapter of the Civil Rights Congress was planned at Lakeland Acres (currently Hollow Brook Golf Club) just outside Peekskill, NY.  Met with a violent mob that swelled to many hundreds, the event was canceled.

Undeterred, Robeson rescheduled the concert to September 4th near what is now Blue Jay Estates in Cortlandt Manor. The mob again came equipped for violence and attacked the estimated 20,000 concertgoers as they left the grounds. Hundreds were injured.

This episode in local history was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Today we are inspired by Robeson and all who attended the concert in solidarity for human rights despite great adversity.