Step back in history during tour of Tappan's homes and landmarks

Gen. George Washington headquartered at the DeWint House in Tappan during the Revolutionary War. Major John Andre was imprisoned and later hanged there for plotting to capture West Point for the British.

While this tiny hamlet first settled on a land patent in 1686-7 has grown over the last 300 years, much of its original character and charm remain. And visitors will be permitted to tour Tappan's houses and landmarks for one special day in October.

As part of its Rockland History Month celebrations, the Historical Society of Rockland County will present a day of historical house tours Oct. 4 in the hamlet of Tappan.  These tours, going back over 50 years, are fundraising events for the Society, at the same time promoting awareness of local history and architecture.

Orangetown Historian Mary Cardenas and members of the Tappantown Historical Society, together with a team of volunteers from the Historical Society of Rockland County, have been working together to present a tour that will showcase the hamlet’s history and charm.

The tour will also serve as the kickoff for events celebrating the 250th anniversary in 2026 of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This self-guided tour offers a look at historically significant buildings in Tappan (including several on the National Register of Historic Places) together with historic, eclectic and charming private residences.

Featured during the tour will be the Campbell-Melone House, commonly called the Campbell House. The western section appears to date from the 18th century, possibly built in the 1730s. The eastern section, a small Greek Revival, was built in the 1830s, probably to accommodate an expanding family. 

Owned by generations of the Campbell family, the clapboard-sided home with frieze-band eyebrow windows was later owned by Paul Melone, an important figure in the preservation of Tappan’s Historic Area. He co-founded the Tappan Library, contributed to the creation of Tappan Memorial Park, and restored historic structures including this house, and The Borcher Stable (now part of the Tappan Library).

Dining room mantel. Photo by Dorice Alden Madronero

Co-chairs for this tour are Carol LaValle and Larry Vail from the Tappantown Historical Society and Clare Sheridan, director of strategic partnerships at the Rockland Historical Society. This year’s tour is sponsored by Beckerle Lumber and Home Centers. It is made possible by hosts who are opening their homes and businesses to visitors, and by a team of volunteer docents.

The tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4. Advance ticket reservations are $ 40 per person. Day of event tickets are priced at $ 45 per person at The De Wint House, 9 Livingston, Tappan

VisitRocklandHistory.org or call 845-634-9629 for more information about the Historic Homes and Landmarks Tour and the rest of the Rockland History Month events at the Historical Society of Rockland County.

Robert Brum is a freelance journalist who writes about the Hudson Valley. Contact him and read his work at robertbrum.com.