South o(the ^flfjountainA

published by Tappan Zee Historical Society Rockland County, Nyack,

Onderdonk's came into posession of that family in 1736 when Garret and Abraham Onder- donk purchased 320 acres with houses and barns from Are and Jannetje Smith. A sketch of the original house is not available. Hie plaque commemorating the 175th anniversary of the meeting of General and Sir Guy Carleton at Onderdonk’s in May 1783, is being installed on a granite boulder which has been placed at the North East corner of the property on River Road and Ritie Street in Piermont by arrangement with Mrs. William P. Haring and with Mr. Haring prior to his death in January of this year. Wording on plaque:

ONDERDONK HOUSE On May 4, 1783 General George Washington and Governor George Clinton landed near here on their way to Tappan to meet with Sir Guy Carleton, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in North America. Here, on May 6, Washington greeted Carleton on his arrival from New York on H.M.S. Perseverance. Following their meeting in the DeWint House in Tappan, where arrangements were made for the final evacuation of British troops from New York at the end of the , the American party was entertained by Carleton on May 7 on board the Perseverance. Upon boarding and leaving the vessel, the British honored Washington and our country with a 17 gun naval salute, thereby first acknowledging the American nation in the traditional manner. Dedicated May 3, 1958 Tappan Zee Historical Society Rockland County, New York REPORT TO THE MEMBERS

The fourth annual report of the Tappan Zee Historical Society summarizes another active year with diversified activities. I he trustees believe the general appeal of the society is evidenced by the increasing membership and larger attendance at the monthly meetings. The meeting tonight represents the 29th monthly program and the 17th community visit­ ed since the fall of 1954. 11 seems appropriate atan annual meeting to check our course to see where we ve been and where we re heading. Your trustees believe that the four purposes listed in the Charter granted the Society by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1954 offer a sound basis for an appraisal. Purpose No. 1 stated "To promote knowledge of and interest in local and national history.” Towards this end, the monthly programs, the notices and reports and articles in the local papers and over local radio stations have tended to bring this objective before the county residents. Programs since the last annual meeting have included: Steamboats on the Pludson . with slides and recorded whistle sounds presented by William H. Ewen; Joint spring pil­ grimage with the Westchester Historical Society to Stony Point and West Point; “Historic Rockland County," representing a sequence of colored slides prepared for the Society by Francis Campbell during the last two years with narration added by Radcliffe Plall; Rock­ land County’s History Comes Alive" by James M. Ransom; Antiques—Their Past, Present and Future" presented by Charles T. Haight; ‘ Indians of the Bear Mountain- Harriman Section of the Palisades Interstate Park" by John C. Orth and Folklore of the Ramapo Region" by Miss Anne Lutz. The Society’s annual exhibit at the Nyack YMCA during the Antique Show featuring the and the special exhibit arranged for die Orangeburg meeting by Mrs. Edwin D. Miller created new interest and brought in a considerable number of new members. Last year the Trustees determined to institute a new classification entitled Group Members" in order to encourage business and other county organizations to share in the Society’s work. Eight firms have joined as of tonight. Membership was established as “Sustaining" [Dues $25.00 per year] or "Contributing" [Dues $5.00 per year]. We urge those proprietorships or companies which have not already applied, to write Mrs. Leighton Cree, secretary, for further information. Purpose No. 2 stated: "To acquire by purchase, gift, devise or otherwise, the title or the custody and control of historic spots and places, and to preserve and protect buildings and spots of historic interest." Efforts to preserve and secure the Salisbury House in South Nyack as a permanent headquarters have continued during the year. The trustees believe that the time may come when all those who desire to have this Revolutionary War landmark on the Hudson preserved, will be asked to declare themselves and actively help in encourag­ ing the community’s and the county’s interest in the Society's objectives for this property. In the general category of pieserving spots of historic interest, the Society, by arrange­ ment with Mis. William P. Haring, has provided for the dedication of the plaque on May 3id on the Onderdonk property in Piermont to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Washington-Carleton meeting in Tappan and Piermont and the first naval salute which the British fired to General Washington and our nation. Purpose No. 3 stated: "To collect, preserve and exhibit records, writings, pictures and other items connected with the history of Rockland County." Substantial beginnings have been made in this field at the Orangeburg Grammar School through the efforts of Mis. Edwin D. Miller and others assisting in the cataloging and marking of many articles, books and documents which have been contributed. I he task requires care, discernment and selectivity in order that the collections preserved should not only be truly representative of Rockland County but also conform to the accepted museum practices in assembling historical material. Two more of the display cases given to the Society by the American Museum of Natural History have been put to use in Suffern and Upper Nyack with exhibits OFFICERS and TRUSTEES continuing to be arranged by Mrs. Stuart K. Atha, Mrs. Gilbert H. Crawford and Mrs. William E. Smith. Last year we reported on the colored slides which Francis Campbell was preparing for BLAUVELT use by schools or other local groups. This collection has been expanded and through Mr. Dr. Walter MacKellar Campbell's efforts shown frequently in various locations in the county. Walter Beardsley, GRAND VIEW Leland Meyer and Wilfred Talman have assisted in several phases of this slide program. Charles R. Carroll Progress has also been made by John Bristow and Dr. Carl Nordstrom in inventorying A. Roger Kelly, Isf. Vice Pres. the George Budke collection in the New York Public Library. Mrs. Morton Saveli Purpose No. 4 stated: "To promote and encourage historical research." The trustees Miss Ruth Vickers believe that there is a much greater awareness and interest in Rockland County’s history HAVERSTRAW than existed four years ago. To a certain extent this interest nourishes itself in the desire Miss Anne McCabe to learn more about the background of our own areas. This is especially true for the many Dr. George W. Watts hundreds of new families coming to Rockland. NANUET Towards this end, the trustees believe that the "Finding List" now being co-ordinated by McArthur Barr Dr. Carl Nordstrom, will be a substantial step in summarizing: 1, historical information NEW CITY about many phases of the county , and 2, locations where such data may be found. A limited Dwight F. Hoover edition of this list will be published by the Society during the summer for use in county NYACK libraries. Robert Demarest, Treas. Attendance during the year has averaged over 100 members and guests at each meeting. William H. Hand We are grateful to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the various communities not only for Arthur J. Prindle their participation but also for the opportunity offered in presenting programs to younger Mrs. Geo. M. Schofield people who eventually will be responsible for the Rockland County which we now knov. John R. Zehner, Pres. Present paid up membership is 589 which compares with 510 a yeai ago. The trustees believe that while membership drives are helpful and necessary, the most successful in­ ORANGEBURG centive is for our present members to encourage their friends and neighbors to attend the Mrs. Joseph Dodge meetings and join at that time. PEARL RIVER The Society’s first venture in selling historical maps was undertaken last month when the Mrs. Cameron Carpenter 1846 Panorama of the Hudson went on sale. This reproduction, with four enlargements Mrs. Leighton Cree, Corresp. See. showing the Hudson River shoreline of Rockland County was well received and we PIERMONT believe will appeal to many of our members. The maps will also be on sale in certain Milton Immermann, 2nd Vice Pres. stores throughout the county. STONY POINT South oj the Mountains continues to flourish. Miss Hamilton, editor, would like to de­ Mrs. Stuart K. Atha velop a backlog of articles suitable for future issues. Miss Cordelia Hamilton, Pub. Ed. 1 he trustees believe there is a need of a more general awareness by the members that if SUFFERN they intend to contribute to the Society or its Museum Fund, such bequests should be John Bristow provided for now. Life has a way of catching up with all of us. The donor's, as well as the Mrs. Robert Burlingham Society’s interests, certainly will be best served by a careful and considered decision Gardner Watts on the ways a member or friend may help to perpetuate their appreciation of the county’s TAPPAN history. As a tax exempt organization, all contributions are deductible in accordance Flenry V. Stebbins with governmental regulations. WEST NYACK New members from all areas of the community are needed. Each of us should act as a Mrs. Wm. J. Mcllvain, Record. Sec. committee of one whose objective is to secure at least one new member for the Society during the coming year. Retired "Senior Citizens" may find absorbing and different hobbies in the wide range of activities that this Society offers. The coming Hudson-Champlain celebration in 1959 offers an excellent opportunity to widen our horizons in all phases of New York State history. The trustees believe that your Society should assist by co-operating wherever it may logically and practically do Annual Membership Dues so; new volunteer workers are needed so that our own activities may proceed with undimin­ $1.00 per year. Mail to ished interest along with those which may be developed by the Hudson-Champlain Com­ Robert Demarest, Treasurer mittee. Nyack, N. Y. W ashington-Carleton No report would be complete without a sincere Thank You to Miss Wilhemina Brush for Meeting Cachet— handling the ticket arrangements for the Society’s very successful 4th benefit performance ‘‘The l.oud Red Patrick” and her continuing work as Membership Secretary; to Miss Antoinette Wilson for maintaining the Society's scrap book, for a record sale of tickets for Two covers are being issued the benefit, as well as the work of handling the annual dues statement; to Mrs. Edwin D to commemorate this event: Miller for her wholehearted efforts to establish the study room at Orangeburg Grammar one showing the DeWint House, School; to Dr. Carl Nordstrom for acting as the Society’s representative in presenting talks for mailing in Tappan, and one on Rockland County history; to Chris Olsen for his presentation of the George William showing the Onderdonk House, Hill award tablet to the Society; to Richard Koke for his very informative article on George Washington in Rockland County which was printed in last July's quarterly; to for mailing in Piermont, to Ralph Braden for his efforts in establishing an extremely active school History Club in help defray the expenses which the Pearl River area; and to the late Saxby V. Penfold, Rockland County Historian, who the anniversary ceremony en­ through his newspaper and magazine articles has brought about increased interest and tails. The covers are priced discussion in local history. Many others of the members have helped in innumerable ways at 20 cents each or 3 5 cents for and to each the trustees desire to express their sincere appreciation. Finally the trustees urge that there be an even greater participation by the members so a pair, in which case one would that by 1960 the Society’s roots will be firmly established in a community proud of its be mailed from Tappan and historical past and looking confidently to the future. the other from Piermont. Each April 14, 1958 THE TRUSTEES will carry a 4 cent flag stamp. Orders should be forwarded DATES TO REMEMBER promptly to permit mailing on May 3, 1958—175th Anniversary of the meeting between General George May 3. Address: Tappan Zee Washington and Sir Guy Carleton. Sir Hugh Stephensen, British Consul Historical Society, Pearl River, General, New York, and Mr. Carl Carmer, author and historian will speak New York. The cachet com­ at the DeWint House following a parade which will start at the Manse mittee believes that the covers Barn at 1 :45 p.m. will constitute genuine “Col­ Following the ceremony in Tappan, the meeting will be continued in lector’s Items" and recommends Piermont with a parade at 3:45 p.m. The plaque on the Onderdonk widespread distribution to ali property will be dedicated at 4 p.m. The destroyer USS Stribling has been assigned to the Tappan Zee Area for the occasion. The First Army Band interested in Rockland County. from Governor’s Island will furnish the music. Frederick Loescher is chair­ man of the committee. May 12, 1958—Meeting at 8:15 p.m. at Wayne Hose Fire Company 9-W Stony Point, N. Y. Gerald C. Stone, curator of the U.S. Military Academy, will speak on “Weapons of the Ages." Pamphlets and suggestions acquired by members from other historical museums would be useful to Tappan Zee Historical Society Trustees. Please send program suggestions to: Mrs. Leighton Cree, 160 Prospect IN MEMORIAM Place, Pearl River, N.Y. before June 1. 1958. Heylinger DeWindt William P. Haring John Osborn Mrs. Ralph M. Pearson ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC. Saxby V. Penfold Mrs. Wolfgang Seligmann Nyack, N.Y. Mrs. Morris VanHouten Miss Elsie Venturini Mrs. Stephen F. Voorhees

Louis W. Evans, West Nyack, Business Manager, South oj the Mountain