Ossining - A Brief History

Ossining, one of Westchester County's oldest communities, holds a legacy as deep and layered as that of the Hudson River it borders. The first incorporated village in Westchester County, Ossining is defined by a history of remarkable firsts: the county's first newspaper, first volunteer fire department, first childcare facility, and first official American casualty of World War I, Edmond C. Genet. One of its most enduring symbols is the infamous Sing Sing Prison, established in 1825. Although its presence has left an indelible mark on the village's identity, the prison remains just one chapter in Ossining's rich and textured story. In a book packed with rare details and "Portal to the Past" entries, local authors Scott Craven and Caroline Ranald Curvan reveal the rich history of this unique community.