The town of Bedford is located in the northeastern part of Westchester County, and contains the three hamlets of Bedford Hills, Bedford Village, and Katonah. Bedford is a town of 16,000 residents in 39 square miles. Once the home of dairy farms and large estates, it's still a favorite place for those who love the country but want to be near The City.
HISTORY
The Town of Bedford traces its origins to a land transaction, which occurred on December 23, 1680. It was on that date that 22 Puritan men from Stamford, Connecticut purchased land of roughly three square miles known as the “Hopp Ground”. The lands were bought from the native Mohegan Indian Chiefs for an assortment of coats, blankets and wampum totaling “46 pounds 16 shillings and ten pence.” A copy of the original deed is displayed in the Town House lobby. Today’s Village Green, the graveyard and surrounding principal roadways remain substantially as they were originally planned in 1681.
For the next 18 years, as both the colonies of Connecticut and New York grew, a dispute developed as to which colony Bedford belonged. In 1700, by Royal Decree, King William III established that Bedford was “henceforth and forever” part of the royal colony of New York.
The Town’s importance grew during the Colonial period and it was a model for town meetings and self government. Bedford served as the wartime Westchester County seat during the Revolutionary War after the Battle of White Plains and until it was burned by the British on July 11, 1779.
COFFEE & COMMERCE
Bedford Gourmet is the heartbeat of Bedford Village. For thirty years they have been providing their patrons with delicacies in the form of a famous cheese collection, the robust Bedford Blend coffee, the grandest muffins around, a hearty bread selection and their much visited food case.
For those who tire of large malls with blister-packaged merchandise, the three hamlets -- Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, and Katonah-- abound with locally owned shops and galleries where one can find high quality items and personal service. One of special interest may include, Jewel Corner in Bedford Village, a full service jeweler offering repairs and special orders. While browsing in Bedford, do not miss Small Joys. There are gifts for bride, baby, home and you - all carefully selected.
RECREATION
The Town of Bedford has three active and beautifully maintained park facilities, one in each hamlet. Bedford Hills Memorial Park located at 60 Haines Road in Bedford Hills, Bedford Village Memorial Park located at 65 Greenwich Road in Bedford, and Katonah Memorial Park located at the top of North Street in Katonah. Each hamlet park has its own pool facility, tennis courts, basketball courts, playing fields, picnic areas and playground area. In addition both Bedford Village and Katonah have platform tennis courts. Residents can enjoy parks year round, sunrise to sunset.
The Mianus River Gorge Preserve, our nation's oldest Natural History Landmark and The Nature Conservancy's pioneer land project, maintains a five mile hiking trail through a pre-colonial hemlock forest and 555 acres at the end of Mianus Road.
In addition, Bedford is the home of many local artists. At Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts and The Katonah Museum of Art, you will be able to experience some of their greatest works.
The Katonah Museum of Art
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
EDUCATION
The town of Bedford, NY is served by two public school districts. The Bedford school district serves the southern two-thirds of the town including the hamlets of Bedford Village and Bedford Hills as well as the neighboring town of Pound Ridge and parts of New Castle. It has a high school, middle school and five elementary schools.
The town is also served by two private schools and a parochial school. The private schools include Rippowam-Cisqua which is a day school and provides Kindergarten through ninth grade, and The Harvey School which is a boarding school and a day school, and provides sixth through twelfth grades. The parochial school, St. Patrick's, is a day school and associated with St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church in Beford Village.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Additional information for the town of Bedford, including public safety, government, and resources, can be found on their website