The Historical Society of
Rockland County
A Brief History of Rockland County
Rockland County is the smallest county in New York State outside the five boroughs of New York City. It is bounded by the Hudson River on the east, the State of New Jersey on the south, and the Ramapo Mountains to the north and west. Although the county consists of only 176 square miles, it is a land rich in history.
To a newcomer, Rockland County may appear to be border-to-border housing developments built over the past forty years, but its historical roots go back almost four hundred years—more than ten thousand years if you include Native American history. Records indicate that the first residents were the Indians of the Delaware or Lenape Nation, who were scattered throughout the county in small bands. ...
Revolution 250 Luncheon
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 1-4 pm
Join us at the historic O'Grady's Castle in Pearl River for an afternoon of celebration. This year's awards will be presented to Eileen O'Brien and Jose Cardona -
Lifetime Service; the Battaglia Family and Rockland Bakery, Nanuet -
Business Landmark;
Carl Wright -
Living Landmark.
2026 Exhibition
Rockland and the Revolution
A 250th Anniversary Exploration
To celebrate the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 2026 exhibition takes a deep look at the American War for Independence through the eyes of notable Rockland County historians, past and present.
Now Playing: August Podcast
Crossroads of Rockland History
The Seven Taverns That Saved the Ramapo Pass
Host Clare Sheridan welcomes Peter Bush, board member of Friends of Harmony Hall, to discuss Harmony Hall’s new exhibition on the historic taverns that once lined the Clove Road from Suffern to Highland Mills.
Upcoming Events
Rockland County Local History Event Calendar
30
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
1pm O'town Museum: Exhibition Opening: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
1pm Piermont HS: Train Station Museum Open
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
Show all
31
1
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
2
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
3
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
4
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
5
10am Ft. Montgomery: “Joined with an Iron Chain” the Algonkian World in the Heart of New Netherlands (1637-1660)
1pm HS-Nyacks: "War on Our Shores: The American Revolution in the Nyacks" Exhibition
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
1:30pm Stony Point Battlefield: The World of Rebecca Franks
Show all
6
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
1pm O'town Museum: Exhibition Opening: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
Show all
7
8
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
9
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
10
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
11
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
12
1pm HS-Nyacks: "War on Our Shores: The American Revolution in the Nyacks" Exhibition
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
13
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
1pm O'town Museum: Exhibition Opening: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
1pm Piermont HS: Train Station Museum Open
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
Show all
14
15
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
16
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
17
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
18
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
19
8:45am HSRC: The Traitor and the Spy Bus Daytrip
1pm HS-Nyacks: "War on Our Shores: The American Revolution in the Nyacks" Exhibition
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
1:30pm Ft. Montgomery: "Sober, Industrious Women: Wives of British Soldiers in the American Revolution"
1:30pm Stony Point Battlefield: Sober, Industrious Women: Wives of British Soldiers in the American Revolution
Show all
20
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
1pm O'town Museum: Exhibition Opening: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
Show all
21
22
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
7pm Genealogical Society of RC: Monthly Meeting
23
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
24
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
25
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
26
11am Ft. Montgomery: "History of Ironworking in the Hudson Highlands"
1pm HS-Nyacks: "War on Our Shores: The American Revolution in the Nyacks" Exhibition
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
2pm Stony Point Battlefield: "In the Shadow of the Gallows: The Trial of Joshua Hett Smith," with Drama from the Past
Show all
27
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
1pm O'town Museum: Exhibition Opening: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
1pm Piermont HS: Train Station Museum Open
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
Show all
28
29
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
30
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
1
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
2
10am O'town Museum Exhibition: "1776/1976: From Democracy to Disco: Orangetown and the Bicentennial"
12pm HSRC: "Rockland and the Revolution: A 250th Anniversary Exploration"
3
10am 10am HSRC: Historic House Tour - Piermont Places & Sparkill Spaces
10am Ft. Montgomery: Twin Forts Day
1pm HS-Nyacks: "War on Our Shores: The American Revolution in the Nyacks" Exhibition
1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition
Show all
Press Room
South of the Mountains
Dive into a world of captivating stories, insightful discussions, and endless entertainment.
Issues of South of the Mountains from 1957 to 2013 are available in fully searchable PDF form online via the New York Heritage portal.
Collections
The Historical Society of Rockland County's collection comprises approximately 3,650 objects that date from the early eighteenth century to the present.
Podcasts
Crossroads of
Rockland History
Host Clare Sheridan welcomes guests every month to explore, celebrate and learn about the rich history of Rockland County and New York's Lower Hudson Valley.
