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The Historical Society of

Rockland County

About Us

A Brief History of Rockland

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.

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Rockland is rich in history. Our mission is to save and to share it.

 

Make a One-Time Donation Make a Recurring Donation

For information about donating by check, click here.

Please consider making a generous donation to
this year’s Annual Appeal!


Current Exhibition

48th Annual
Holiday Exhibition

Holidays on the Home Front:

Rockland County in World War II

December 11, 2024 — February 23, 2025

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

32nd Annual Rockland County Executive's Historic Preservation Merit Awards

We welcome nominations for achievements that have contributed to the continued preservation of Rockland County's significant historical and cultural heritage. Self-nominations are encouraged.

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Now and Upcoming Events

Lecture: Riverside Moguls

February 16, 1 pm

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Family Program:

Imps of Donderberg

April 6, 1 pm

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Rockland County Local History Event Calendar

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

26

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

27

28

7pm Genealogical Society of RC: Monthly Meeting

29

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

30

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

31

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1

11:30am Stony Point Battlefield: Lighthouse Visiting Hours

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1pm HS-Nyacks: Black History Month - Portraits by Allen Steinman

Show all

2

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

3

4

5

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

6

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

7pm Piermont HS: Steamboats on the Hudson & Annual Meeting

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7

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

8

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1pm HS-Nyacks: Black History Month - Portraits by Allen Steinman

9

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

10

11

12

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

13

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

14

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

15

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1pm HS-Nyacks: Black History Month - Portraits by Allen Steinman

2pm Stony Point Battlefield: Guided Battlefield Walk

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16

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm HSRC: Lecture: Riverside Moguls: Wealth and Power in the Hudson Valley's Gilded Age

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17

1pm Fort Montgomery: Survival in the Winter Woods

18

19

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

20

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

7pm HS-Nyacks: Regular Meeting

Show all

21

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

22

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1pm HS-Nyacks: Black History Month - Portraits by Allen Steinman

23

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

12pm HSRC: 48th Holiday Exhibition-Rockland in WWII

24

25

7pm Genealogical Society of RC: Deeds at the Rockland County Archives Monthly Meeting

26

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

27

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

28

1pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1

11:30am Stony Point Battlefield: Lighthouse Visiting Hours

12pm Hopper House: Portal: The Window in American Photography

1pm HS-Nyacks: Black History Month - Portraits by Allen Steinman

Show all

Press Room


South of the Mountains

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

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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!

More Rocks of Rockland


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July-September 2024

A Rockland County

Dutch Barn in Hiding

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April-June 2024

The Rocks of Rockland: Iconic Rocks

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Collections

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

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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.

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January 2025
CLeary-Newman
Murder (Reprise)

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December 2024
Concklin Family History
 
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November 2024
Holidays at Sloatsburg's
Harmony Hall
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