Two men, Gil Terwilliger and Ozzie Hooker, members of the Independent Fire Company of Mount Kisco, were “instrumental” in having the drums crafted by Gus Moeller. They were also founding members of the Mt. Kisco Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The Corps had its inception in 1937. At that time only Fire Department members were allowed to join. They hit the road in 1938. An early highlight was playing at the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York. The Corps experienced lean years during World War II; men gone to war and a reduction in parades were contributing factors. There was a resurgence in numbers after the war, lasting until the 1960’s. After restructuring to a Junior Corps in 1967, allowing the children of the community to join, the Corps swelled in ranks once again. They began marching with their uniform of black pants, white shirts, jarbot and tri-corn hats with approximately 5 songs in their repertoire. By 1970, they were even stronger in members and went on the road sporting new scarlet red vests. In 1975, Mount Kisco celebrated it Centennial with many festivities, one of the features being the Fife and Drum holding a muster. The Old Guard was able to participate that day and contribute to the celebratory atmosphere. In 1989, the Corps again suffered in membership, when 8 of the members took the helm and started recruiting yearly. The Corps has been going strong ever since.
The Ancients have added many exciting credits to their name over the years. In 1974, the Corps attended the Old Guard muster in Washington, D.C.; In 1975, the instructors were called on by Braniff Airlines to accompany their Bicentennial Tour of America, featuring the airplane ‘Flying Colors’ painted by Alexander Calder. The tour included performances at stops in Washington D.C., New York City, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City and Dallas; In 1976 they performed at the New Jersey Elks Convention in Atlantic City; 1978 saw them at a muster at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan; In 1994, the instructors appeared on ”Good Day New York” from Phillipsburg Manor in Tarrytown, NY; In 1995 & 2000 at the ‘Muster Among the Palms’ in Melbourne, Florida, with added performances at Kennedy Space Center; In 1997 & 1998, they took 2nd & 3rdplace trophies, respectively, in the Best Senior Fife and Drum class at the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Corps continues to travel around the country. In 2008, the Corps performed at the Drummers Call in Colonial Williamsburg, VA.
The extraordinary camaraderie of the Corps is evident by the exceptional number of members who have been active, some for decades.
