DISCOVER ROCKLAND'S HISTORY
Learn more about the early history of Rockland County by visiting our many historic sites, museums and monuments.
9/11 Memorial At Haverstraw Bay Park
21 Gagan Road | Haverstraw, NY 10927 | 845-359-5476
A tribute park overlooking the Hudson River is Rockland County's memorial to those from Rockland lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Andre Monument
73 Andre Hill Road, #1 | Tappan, NY 10983
Major John Andre Monument marks the site where the British spy was hanged and buried in 1780 during the American Revolution. It is a large granite monument located on a 20 foot by 20-foot plot enclosed by a wrought iron fence. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
’76 House
110 Main Street | Tappan, New York 10983 | 845-359-5475
Built in 1668, The ’76 House is America’s oldest tavern and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the American Revolutionary War, the tavern served as a meeting place for local patriots. Most notably, the `76 House served as the “prison” of the Revolution’s most notorious spy, Major John Andre - the British spy who plotted with the arch traitor Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point. Commander-in-Chief General George Washington also dined in the comfortable atmosphere of the Old ’76 House.
Brick Church Cemetery
220 Brick Church Road | Spring Valley, NY 10977 | 845-354-6131
Dating back to 1794, the Brick Church Cemetery is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is the final resting place of many historic figures, including Revolutionary War veterans and Daniel Carter Beard, the first National Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America. The historic church was built in 1778.
Camp Shanks World War II Museum
20 Greenbush Road | 845-359-5100 | Orangeburg, NY 10962 | 845-304-6809
The Camp Shanks Museum commemorates the military facility that served as the largest point of embarkation for soldiers headed for North Africa and Europe during World War II, including the landing forces for the D-Day invasion. Opened in 1942, Camp Shanks contained 1,500 barracks, mess halls, theaters, a hospital, and other buildings where some 1.5 million G.I.s (approximately 40,000 a month) were issued combat equipment and underwent final inspections before shipping overseas.
Central Presbyterian Church
89 Hudson Avenue | Haverstraw, NY 10927 | 845-429-5111
Established in 1846, the church is over 150 years old. Features 13 full-size Tiffany windows which create a tapestry of kaleidoscopic light. Highlights include the Emmaus window on the eastern wall and the Ascension window above the entrance. The woodwork on the main floor is American chestnut, which is now extinct. The sanctuary is also home to a powerful Wicks Pipe Organ. Shown by appointment.
Dewint House & Museum
20 Livingston Avenue | Tappan, NY 10983 | 845-359-2670
George Washington's temporary headquarters in Tappan, NY on four separate occasions during the American Revolutionary War. Built in 1700, the stone and brick house was owned by Patriot Johannes DeWint during the Revolution and is the oldest surviving building in Rockland County. During his stay in 1783, Washington entertained British General Sir Guy Carleton to negotiate the vanquished army’s evacuation of New York City. Today, the house’s two first-floor rooms have been restored and furnished to reflect the period of Washington’s occupancy. An adjacent 19th-century carriage house contains displays of artifacts uncovered at the site during archaeological digs, as well as items related to Washington, André, and Arnold.
Dutch Garden
37 South Main Street | New City, NY 10956
Built in 1934, Dutch Garden stands as a memorial to the early Dutch settlers in Rockland County and serves as a reminder of the importance that brick making had on the county’s economy. Located in New City next to the Rockland County Courthouse, Dutch Garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a one-story brick teahouse with a fireplace, a gazebo, picnic benches, an arbor and a bandstand. Originally a brick wall (part of which remains) enclosed the gardens. Today, a variety of flowers and tulips can be found along the brick lined paths. A peaceful, lovely oasis in the middle of the bustling country center. Handicapped Accessible: Yes. Rest Rooms: Yes.
Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center
82 N. Broadway | Nyack, NY 10960 | 845-358-0774
This birthplace and boyhood home of the eminent realist painter Edward Hopper was built in 1858. The restored house is a NYS Historic Site. Edward Hopper House is a nonprofit art center with exhibitions featuring the work of emerging and established artists, in addition to an ongoing display of early Edward Hopper works and memorabilia. The outdoor garden is the setting for jazz concerts on summer evenings.
GARNER Historic District
55 West Railroad Avenue | Garnerville, NY 10923 | 845-947-0356
The GARNER Historic District of New York is a collection of landmarked pre-Civil War factory buildings located on 14 acres in the hamlet of Garnerville, Village of West Haverstraw, in Rockland County. The buildings have been transformed into a flourishing and vibrant real estate venture leasing space for mixed-use, including light industrial, warehouse and artist studio spaces along with craft food and beverage, office and retail uses.
Harmony Hall - Jacob Sloat House
15 Liberty Rock Road | Sloatsburg, NY 10974 | 845-712-5220
Originally called Harmony Hall, the Jacob Sloat House was built in 1848 by entrepreneur, inventor and philanthropist Jacob Sloat. A descendant of Stephen Sloat for whom the village of Sloatsburg was named, Jacob Sloat gained a reputation as an inventor, industrialist, and entrepreneur, producing as much as 8,000 pounds per week of the cotton twine that dominated the New York market.
Listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places, the house has been described by state architectural historians as a considerable example of the mid-19th century Greek Revival style of architecture. Currently undergoing renovations, Harmony Hall is a vibrant cultural center that offers a wide variety of events throughout the year, including its annual Bluegrass Festival which takes place every fall.
Haverstraw African American Memorial Park
41 Clinton Street | Haverstraw, NY 10927 | 845-429-2920
Located across the street from the site of the former African Methodist Episcopal Bethel Church founded by slaves and free blacks in 1846, Haverstraw African American Memorial Park features a kiosk with displays about local history and the African diaspora. The park also features the newly erected Harriet Tubman statue entitled, "Beacon of Hope" which was dedicated in 2024. The park's waterfront location creates a tranquil atmosphere and allows visitors to feel at peace with nature as they enjoy the garden and water fountain. A historical marker recognizes the site as the first African-American church in Rockland County. Handicapped Accessible: Yes. Rest Rooms: No.
Haverstraw Brick Museum
12 Main Street | Haverstraw, NY 10927 | 845-947-3505
Exhibits relate and recount the over 100 year history of brick making in Haverstraw, an area once known as "The Brick-Making Capital of the World."
Historical Society of Rockland County
20 Zukor Road | New City, NY 10956 | 845-634-9629
History Center with exhibition galleries and restored 1832 Jacob Blauvelt Farmhouse and barn on five-acre site. The historic house contains period rooms that illustrate the lifestyle of Rockland County farming families during the first half of the 19th Century. Features tours, special events and programs. Office hours: Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm. Historic House tours by appointment. Call for information.
Historical Society of the Nyacks
PO Box 850 | Nyack, NY 10960 | 845-418-4430
The Historical Society of the Nyacks is a nonprofit organization that hosts programs, exhibits, walking tours and other events that promote local history.
Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education
Rockland Community College - Library Media Center 2nd FL | 145 Colleg | Library Media Center | Suffern, NY 10901 | 845-574-4099
The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education is dedicated to commemorating human suffering during the Holocaust and to educate future generations about this unprecedented catastrophe. Located at the Rockland Community College campus in Suffern, New York, the museum features guided tours, interpretive displays and exhibits, and educational programs and events throughout the year. Self-guided tours Monday-Thursday. Sundays by appointment.
John Green House
23 Main Street | Nyack, NY 10960
Nyack’s oldest house, built in 1819 of local sandstone, belonged to John Green. Mr. Green was pivotal in the establishment of commerce and transportation in Nyack and Rockland County. He built a seaport and was responsible for the development of the Nyack Turnpike, which today is essentially Route 59.
Law Enforcement Museum
55 New Hempstead Road | New City, NY 10956 | 845-638-5585
Located at the Rockland County Sheriff's Office, the walls of the county Sheriff's Department are filled with photos and interesting memorabilia.
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane | Stony Point, NY 10980 | 845-947-2200
Featuring an exact replica of St. John Bosco's birthplace and statues by Italian sculptor Henry Arrighini. Offers a center for pilgrimage and prayer.
Mount Moor Cemetery
4292 Palisades Center Drive | West Nyack, New York 10994
Mount Moor Cemetery is the final resting place of African Americans living in and around Nyack. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many grave markers are too badly worn to identify, but community leaders and veterans dating back to the Civil War have been found among the plots. Veterans of the Spanish American War, and World Wars I and II are buried there. One of the graves at Mount Moor is that of Lafayette Logan, a Buffalo Soldier who fought in the American Civil War with the legendary Black 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Several veterans who were members of the 26th Regiment United States Colored Infantry, also called the 26th Regiment New York Infantry (Colored) are also resting at Mount Moor.
Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives
196 Chief Bill Harris Way | Orangeburg, NY 10962 | 845-398-1302
Located at the historic Isaac Depew House, in Orangeburg, NY. Features a collection of artifacts including the early influential Dutch settlers, its captivating connection to George Washington and the Revolutionary War, the industrial awakening of the Erie Railroad, and the legendary home of Camp Shanks - the largest port of embarkation for soldiers heading overseas for World War II.
Additionally, the collection accounts for the local history of all its hamlets of Blauvelt, Orangeburg, Palisades/Snedens Landing, Pearl River, Sparkill, Tappan, South Nyack, and villages of Grand View, Piermont, and Nyack. Features tours, exhibits and programs year-round.
Piermont Marsh
Village of Piermont | Piermont, New York 10968 | 845-359-1258
Piermont Marsh encompasses 1,017 acres and lies at the southern edge of the village of Piermont. The Piermont Marsh is on the western shore of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The site occupies two miles of shoreline south of the mile-long Piermont Pier and includes the mouth of Sparkill Creek and extensive tidal shallows. Piermont Marsh habitats include brackish tidal marsh, shallows and intertidal flats.
PIERMONT PIER
Ferry Road | Piermont, NY 10968
Hand-built in the mid-1800s, the 4,000-foot-long Piermont Pier stretches about a mile into the Hudson River. The Pier originally served as the terminus of the Erie Railroad where passengers disembarked from trains onto boats bound for New York City. During World War II, it served as an embarkation point for more than a million troops heading to Europe, earning it the nickname “Last Stop U.S.A.” Today, the Piermont Pier is open year-round, and offers a super place to enjoy cool breezes and savor spectacular views and provides anglers with great fishing.
Piermont Train Station & Museum
50 Ash Street | Piermont, NY 10968 | 845-300-4005
Historic train station located in Piermont, New York. Built in 1883 by the Northern Railroad of New Jersey and later acquired by the Erie Railroad. The only remaining station of its kind that is on the National Historic Register. Today the station serves as a tribute to Piermont's history.
Rockland County Law Enforcement Memorial
1 S. Main Street | New City, NY 10956 | 845-638-5585
Dedicated in memory of the law enforcement officers of Rockland County who dedicated and sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Rockland County Volunteer Fire Services Museum
35 Firemen’s Memorial Drive | Pomona, NY 10970 | 845-364-8800
The museum showcases 200 years of fire service history, including a horse- drawn steamer, hand drawn hose cart and antique fire trucks. It has a collection of firematic memorabilia dating back to1834, when Orangetown Fire Co. #1 was the first to organize. Call for appointment.
Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site
44 Battlefield Road | Stony Point, NY 10980 | 845-786-2521
Visit the site of the Battle of Stony Point, one of the last Revolutionary War battles in the northeastern colonies. This is where Brigadier General Anthony Wayne led his corps of Continental Light Infantry in a daring midnight attack on the British, seizing the site's fortifications and taking the soldiers and camp followers at the British garrison as prisoners on July 16, 1779.
Stony Point Lighthouse
44 Battlefield Road | Stony Point, NY 10980 | 845-786-2521
Restored 1826, the Stony Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River and one of Rockland's best-known historical landmarks. The Lighthouse stands within the grounds of the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site and is set on a high promontory with sweeping views up and down the Hudson River. After being decommissioned in the 1920's, its Fresnel-lensed lamp was removed during the 1980's as part of an effort to restore the lighthouse. A period fourth-order Fresnel-lensed lamp was installed in its place during the restoration.
Suffern Railroad Museum
1 Erie Plaza | Suffern, NY 10901 | 845-357-2600
Opened in 1998 and located on Orange Avenue at the corner of Commuter Parking Lot A, the museum is housed in an 1908 Wells Fargo Building, restored to showcase Suffern’s rich railroad history. The Railroad Museum is open Saturday mornings 9am–1pm, May through October.
Suffern Village Museum
61 Washington Avenue | Suffern, NY 10901 | 845-357-2600
Exhibits relating to the history of Suffern and the Ramapo area from earliest settlement through the 20th century.
Tappantown Historical Society
PO Box 71 | Tappan, NY 10983 | 845-359-1923
The Tappantown Historical Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1965 and permanently chartered by the New York State Board of Regents to preserve,
The Isaac DePew House
196 Blaisdell Road | Orangeburg, NY 10976 | 845-398-1302
Dutch sandstone house with a gambrel roof constructed around the time of the Revolutionary War by Isaac Depew. The clapboard addition in the 1930s serves the museum with extra exhibition space. Open Sundays 1-4pm, and Tuesdays, 10am-2pm by appointment only. Handicapped accessible. Donations appreciated.
The Jacob Blauvelt Farmhouse
20 Zukor Road | New City, New York 10956 | 845-634-9629
Restored 1832 farmhouse. An example of Flemish vernacular architecture with Greek Revival ornamentation, the house contains period rooms that illustrate the lifestyle of local farming families during the first half of the 19th century. Office hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm. Exhibits: Wednesday-Sunday noon-4 pm Group tours by appointment.
The Michael Salyer House
212 Blue Hill Road | Pearl River, NY 10965 | 845-735-0429
The Salyer House was built in the last quarter of the 18th century. In 2003 the Salyer House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Showcases three permanent exhibits, by appointment only. Handicapped accessible, donations appreciated.
Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument
37 South Main Street | New City, NY 10956
The Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument honors Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall who founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1940 and argued the well-known Brown v. Board of Education case in 1952-1953. Marshall came to prominence in Rockland County in 1943, when he brought the NAACP Legal Defense Fund's nationwide desegregation fight to Hillburn to ensure Black students received the same quality of education as white students.
