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. ...

More About Rockland County

RevWar250

BUS DAYTRIPS

The Spy and the Traitor:
The Andre-Arnold Affair

Saturdays: April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 19, & October 10

Learn More

Coming Soon

Rockland in the Revolution

A 250th Anniversary Exploration

To celebrate the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 2026 exhibition will take a deep look at the American War for Independence through the eyes of notable Rockland County historians, past and present.


Coming Soon: March Podcast

Crossroads of
Rockland History

The Remarkable Landscape

Design of Mary Mowbray-Clarke

Executive Director Rachel Whitlow and Educator Luke Spaltro discuss the new exhibition at the Haverstraw Brick Museum, “The Remarkable Landscape Design of Mary Mowbray-Clarke.”

Learn More
Make a Donation!

Upcoming Events

Bus Daytrip:
Ft. Montgomery
& West Point Museum

Thursday, April 23, 9:30 am

Learn More

RevWar250 Lecture:
The Week That Won the War

Sunday, April 26, 1 pm

Learn More

RevWar250 Lecture:
On His Majesty's Secret Service

Sunday, May 31, 1 pm

Learn More

Rockland County Local History Event Calendar

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1pm HS-Nyacks: "Abolitionists and Suffragists" Exhibition

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

8

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

9

10

11

12

13

14

1pm HS-Nyacks: "Abolitionists and Suffragists" Exhibition

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

15

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

16

17

18

19

7pm HS-Nyacks: Regular Meeting

20

21

1pm HS-Nyacks: "Abolitionists and Suffragists" Exhibition

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

22

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

23

24

7pm Genealogical Society of RC: Monthly Meeting

25

26

27

28

1pm HS-Nyacks: "Abolitionists and Suffragists" Exhibition

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

29

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

30

31

1

2

3

4

1pm Haverstraw Brick Museum: Mary Mowbray-Clarke Exhibition

Press Room


South of the Mountains

Dive into a world of captivating stories, insightful discussions, and endless entertainment.

View All

Issues of South of the Mountains from 1957 to 2013 are available in fully searchable PDF form online via the New York Heritage portal.

Access the Collection

NEW ISSUE!

Our Priceless

Volunteers

View Details

July-September 2025

The New Exhibit:

"Home Grown"

View Details

April-June 2025

The New Exhibit:

"Home Grown"

View Details

Collections

The Historical Society of Rockland County's collection comprises approximately 3,650 objects that date from the early eighteenth century to the present.

Read More

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.

View All

February 2026

Queen of Bohemia
Learn More
January 2026
Knickerbocker
Ice Festival
Learn More
December 2025
Pearl River
Religious History
Learn More