Bedford
Around the Village Green
A town of stone walls, horse farms and winding dirt roads, Bedford is made up of Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah.
On December 23, 1680, twenty-two settlers from Stamford bought 7,673 acres from seven Native American chiefs and laid out the village green and burying ground the next year. Bedford belonged to Connecticut until a royal decree placed it in New York in 1700, and on July 11, 1779, British cavalry burned all but one house in the village.
The village rebuilt, and its 1787 Court House, the oldest government building in Westchester, served as a county seat until 1870. John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, retired to his Bedford farm in 1801, and after the railroad reached Bedford Station, now Bedford Hills, in 1847, New Yorkers began arriving for the country life.
The Bedford Riding Lanes Association maintains 180 miles of horse and walking trails throughout the towns.
The People & Places That Shape Bedford
History
John Jay Homestead
The first Chief Justice of the United States retired to this 64-acre farm in 1801. Now a state historic site, it is marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Read our story
Film
The Bedford Playhouse
The village’s old movie house, renovated and reopened in 2018 as a nonprofit independent film center, with screenings, talks, comedy and live music. Read our story
Outdoors
Mianus River Gorge
Carved by glaciers 12,000 years ago, a preserved natural landmark of some 1,000 acres of rare forest and wildlife, protected through decades of conservation and community stewardship. Read our story
Westmoreland Sanctuary
Helen Clay Frick’s gift of 306 acres has grown into a 669-acre preserve off Chestnut Ridge Road, free and open to all from dawn to dusk. Read our story
The Bedford Oak
A white oak more than 500 years old, with a trunk over 30 feet around, at Hook Road and Cantitoe Street. In 1977, 426 neighbors chipped in to save the land around it.
Bedford Riding Lanes
About 180 miles of trails across public and private land in Bedford and Pound Ridge, with spring and fall paces that draw riders from around the region.
Worth Going To
StyleGeminolaLorraine Kirke brings her West Village boutique to Old Post Road.
GatheringThe Parlor at La Maison FêteMahjong, games and good company behind the shop on Old Post Road.
GardenBedford FarmsA young couple reinvents the 80-year-old Bedford Nursery.
StyleRivayA Bedford native brings his small-batch menswear brand home.
MusicClive DavisRemembering the legendary music executive and producer, 1932–2026.
ComedyJayni & Chevy ChaseThe original Weekend Update anchor and his wife, at home in Bedford.
KatonahMartha StewartThe Katonah neighbor who shows up for every local benefit.
Cover StoryMichael Kelly, UnscriptedThe actor at home in the Bedford community.
FamiliesWelcome BabyBedford’s Sarah Steinhardt delivers care packages to low-income new mothers.
InclusionThe Inclusive InitiativeWelcoming neurodiversity, starting in Bedford and Katonah.
Equine Rescue13 HandsMarylou Tortorello saves abused horses and runs therapeutic programs for veterans.
ClimateThink Global, Act LocalBedford2030 and its bold goals for cutting the town’s emissions.
FilmAngela Sullivan’s DebutA Bedford Corners producer premieres her first feature at the Playhouse.
HistoryBedford Garden Club OriginalsJudy Culbreth’s book on garden club pioneers Eloise Luquer and Delia Marble.
HomesAn Exquisite EstateA Cotswolds-style country house set among Bedford’s rolling hills.
HomesSunravenDr. Michael Finkelstein’s Bedford farm and healing center.