County Executive Kevin Byrne speaks at an Oct. 12 rally by Lake Gleneida in Carmel supporting restoration of the Sybil Ludington statue, honoring the 16-year-old Patriot’s 40-mile Revolutionary War ride that earned her the title ‘Paul Revere of Putnam.’

15 October 2025

Backed by a life-sized bronze of the 16-year-old equestrian, County Executive Kevin Byrne helped lead a rally for the restoration of Carmel Hamlet’s Sybil Ludington statue on October 12. The collaborative event was organized by the county’s Revolutionary Putnam Advisory Committee, a body headed by volunteer co-chairs former Governor George Pataki as well as philanthropist and local history advocate George Whipple. 

Byrne’s remarks at the hourlong afternoon event included praise for state and private funding sponsors supplementing the $50,000 he proposed in the 2026 Executive Budget capital plan to refurbish the 1961 statue, including Senator Pete Harckham and Whipple. A petition collected at the event’s conclusion is expected to elicit additional funds to be used to clean and update the 4,000-pound likeness of Ludington atop her faithful steed Star. In addition, the Putnam County Department of Public Works will be distributing and installing reflective metal stars and “Sybil’s Ride” destination signs along portions of her 40-mile route during this month to raise awareness about the heroine’s historic April 1777 journey to warn Patriots -- some led by county namesake General Israel Putnam -- of an impending British attack on a military supply depot in Danbury.

For more information on Putnam’s colonial wartime history, along with information about upcoming local events for the nation’s 250th anniversary, visit revolutionaryputnam.org.