BILL & LOIS WILSON: IN THEIR OWN WORDS to Play Bedford Hills with Katonah Classic Stage

A weekend celebrating the enduring worldwide legacy of Bill Wilson (“Bill W.”), co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and Lois Wilson (“Lois W.”), co-founder of Al-Anon Family Groups – longtime Town of Bedford NY residents – features theater, film, and community events Thursday to Sunday, June 4–7, 2026.

Rare theatrical presentations of “Bill & Lois Wilson: In Their Own Words” by Katonah Classic Stage and directed by Trent Dawson are daily and made possible, in part, through a grant from THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge drug abuse prevention and mental health alliance. Recognizing the Wilsons' role in American and world history, the play is part of Bedford's REV UP 250 observance of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The Hybrid 75th Annual Stepping Stones Lois' Family Groups Picnic is Saturday, June 6. On Sunday, June 7 Bedford Playhouse offers “Movie & Meditation” —a screening of the award-winning new film “Bill W. Conscious Contact” with special guests, Q&A and book signing. Details and ticket information for the weekend are available at https://www.steppingstones.org/events

In 1951, Bill and Lois Wilson launched an annual family celebration of recovery at their Westchester, NY, home, Stepping Stones. Their vision was to bring people together to recognize the joys of recovery, family restoration, community and newfound freedom.

Bill Wilson began drinking in 1918 while in Army training for World War I. He struggled with alcoholism for 17 years before embracing a path to recovery in 1934 grounded in service to others and a belief in something greater than himself. In the 1930s, he wrote the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous—principles that have since been adapted by organizations around the world to help individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges. Today, A.A. reaches nearly every country, and the book “Alcoholics Anonymous” has been printed more than forty-two million times in English and translated into more than seventy languages according to Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.

The Wilsons' home, Stepping Stones, received a New York historical marker in the 1980s during Lois' life. The site is on NY and US registries of historic places. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Recognizing Lois' contributions, the home is on the NY Women's Heritage Trail along with homes of notables: Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Austen and Lucille Ball.

Calendar listings for weekend events follow. Details also found online at https://www.steppingstones.org/events

THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE:

Bill & Lois Wilson: In Their Own Words (Play is 111 minutes plus intermission.)

Thursday June 4–Saturday June 6, 7 p.m.; Sunday June 7, 1 p.m.

Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St., Bedford Hills, NY 10507.

Tickets: https://steppingstones.givecloud.co/75 (Thursday is Preview / Discount Night. For a scholarship ticket, email office@steppingstones.org for availability.) Produced by Katonah Classic Stage in collaboration with Stepping Stones – Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson. Directed by Trent Dawson, Artistic Director, Katonah Classic Stage. Presented with in kind support from Town of Bedford and a grant from THRIVE Bedford | Lewisboro | Pound Ridge drug abuse prevention and mental health alliance.

FILM SCREENING, Q&A, & BOOK SIGNING:

Movie & Meditation: “Bill W. Conscious Contact” (Film is 68 minutes.)

Sunday, June 7, 9:30 a.m.

Bedford Playhouse, 633 Old Post Rd, Bedford, NY 10506

Tickets: https://bedfordplayhouse.org/movies/bill-w-conscious-contact/

Since premiering last year, the documentary has earned eight awards! Producer Jay Stinnett will lead a meditation prior to the screening, Q&A, and sneak preview book signing of the “film in a book.” Part of the Bedford Playhouse “Let's Talk” mental health series.

HYBRID PICNIC WITH SPEAKERS:

Hybrid 75th Annual Stepping Stones Lois' Family Groups Picnic

Saturday, June 6

Free with advance registration (donations welcomed)

In-Person Picnic 11 a.m.–5 p.m., rain or shine, tent provided.

Parking and shuttles provided from Bedford Hills Train Station, off of 1 Railroad Ave., Bedford Hills, NY 10507.

Register: https://steppingstones.givecloud.co/in-person75

Virtual/Online Picnic Via Zoom, 1:45 p.m.–4 p.m. Eastern.

Register: https://steppingstones.givecloud.co/virtual75

The traditional picnic event features history, updates from Stepping Stones, and speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous, Alateen, and Al-Anon Family Groups.

Volunteer opportunities for the 75th anniversary weekend are available for adults by going to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecv4PyTvWt-k4bdKayn-vKYeux3d-jPDR6u_QXYscnHC25iQ/viewform?usp=preview

Media interviews, historic / archival and recent photos and video are available by emailing info@steppingstones.org or call or text to 516-355-1172 with requirements.

ABOUT STEPPING STONES – HISTORIC HOME OF BILL & Lois Wilson

The Stepping Stones Foundation, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization founded in 1979 by Lois Wilson, fosters public understanding of alcoholism and inspires recovery by preserving and sharing Stepping Stones - the historic home and archive of Bill and Lois Wilson, respective cofounders of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups.

A separate organization from the 12 Step recovery fellowships, The Stepping Stones Foundation seeks support from friends and organizations to aid in preservation of 130,000 original artifacts and manuscripts, six historic buildings, and 8.17 acres of gardens and grounds.

The privately-run National Historic Landmark, Stepping Stones welcomes tour visitors, students, interns, volunteers, researchers and the broader community to tour (reservation required) and explore history and enduring impact of the Wilsons.

The film “Homecoming – Stepping Stones” provides an overview of the historic site and Wilson story.

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