Photos from 23rd Annual Colonial Day, Sept. 29th, 2007
(please click on the image to view the full size)
(please click on the image to view the full size)
Fifth New York Regiment demonstrating firing
drills.
drills.
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Nickel-O-Farms animals grazing and
contemplating their great escape.
contemplating their great escape.
Sheep Shearer, Fred DePaul from Plymouth
Vermont, trimming one of his five sheep.
Vermont, trimming one of his five sheep.
Recent Events:
Native American exhibit of Lenape Lifeways.
2007 Colonial Day photos by Keith Walker.
Tappantown Historical Society - Events Calendar
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| Remembering Paul Melone Paul W. Melone, a founder of the Tappantown Historical and other civic organizations, died on August 12, 2008. He was 96. While there are many memories of Paul’s sixty years of tenacious, dedicated, and visionary activism that we could include in this memoriam, we are offering two: one a fond remembrance of Paul by his friend, neighbor, and fellow history maven, Jules Loh, author of Treason: The Arnold-Andre Plot; the other, a more formal tribute to Paul by former THS President Thomas LaValle on presenting Paul with the Tappantown Historical Society Fellowship Award at the Annual Awards Dinner in February, 2005. The Essential Paul Melone by Jules Loh Fellowship Award for Paul Melone presented by Thomas LaValle |
| Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 Colonial Day on the DeWint House grounds Tappantown Historical Society invites you to our 26th Annual COLONIAL DAY at The DeWint House Grounds Livingston Street and Oak Tree Road, Tappan, NY Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 12 PM to 5 PM Step back in time and visit Colonial America... Come see Colonial Army Re-enactors and Encampment Soldiers Colonial Singers and Dancers Quilting Embroidery Lace-making See a Blacksmith, Woodworker and Cooper. Ladies and Gentlemen in Colonial Attire preparing for Winter in the DeWint House Kitchen For the children: apple pressing, stenciling, candle-dipping, spinning, butter-making, Colonial Hat and Apron Making, writing with quill pen Farm Animals Sheep Shearer Tour The Carriage House Museum and DeWint House REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE LIMITED ON-SITE PARKING FREE ADMISSION |
Nov. 13, 2009 Annual Meeting of the Tappantown Historical Society
The Tappantown Historical Society exhibited our rare and recently restored copy of the Peter J. Haring 1704 Division Patent
Orangetown Town Historian Mary Cardenas explained the Patent's origins in the earlier 1686 Tappan Patent and trace its later history
and provenance.
Paper Conservator Edith Hart talked about the challenges in preserving the 305-year-old vellum document and the process used to
restore and reframe it according to archival standards.
The Tappantown Historical Society exhibited our rare and recently restored copy of the Peter J. Haring 1704 Division Patent
Orangetown Town Historian Mary Cardenas explained the Patent's origins in the earlier 1686 Tappan Patent and trace its later history
and provenance.
Paper Conservator Edith Hart talked about the challenges in preserving the 305-year-old vellum document and the process used to
restore and reframe it according to archival standards.
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Sept. 26, 2009 Colonial Day on the DeWint House grounds
Our 25th annual COLONIAL DAY on the grounds of the DeWint House (Oak Tree Rd & Livingston St.) in Tappan. Step back in time and
visit Colonial America.
(please see photos from the 2007 Colonial Day at the bottom of this page
Our 25th annual COLONIAL DAY on the grounds of the DeWint House (Oak Tree Rd & Livingston St.) in Tappan. Step back in time and
visit Colonial America.
(please see photos from the 2007 Colonial Day at the bottom of this page
Friday, October 2, 2009 Andre Walk - Area school children retrace the final hours of British spy Major John Andre. (special
note: this year marks the 130th anniversary of the unveiling of the Andre Monument on Andre Hill)
Children from Cottage Lane Elementary School, teachers and parents arrived around 11:00am at The ’76 House on Main Street and
were greeted by Mr. Keith Walker from the Tappantown Historical Society dressed as a Colonial Militiaman.
Tavern keeper Mr. Robert Norden had set Andre’s Prison Room up in theater style seating, so upon entering through the current main
entrance everyone was directed to take a seat for the proceedings to begin.
Mr. Norden gave a brief history of The ’76 House and its use and involvement before, during and after the American Revolution. He
stated that the room everyone was seated in was the exact room where British spy Major John Andre was held captive and that this
was even a tavern at that time not a prison. Mr. Walker told of Andre’s orders from his General Sir Henry Clinton and how by
disregarding these orders he would finally be hanged in Tappan. Everyone was then informed that when they left the restaurant they
were going to walk the exact same route that Major John Andre followed 229 years ago, approximately ¾ of a mile, to the monument
on Andre Hill. Mr. Norden asked everyone to walk past the bar and note the wall hangings, especially the photograph of Andre’s final
internment location and American traitor General Benedict Arnold’s portrait over the fireplace. Everyone left The ’76 House by the
same door Andre had left that fateful morning onto Main Street to retrace Andre’s walk.
Where today’s Andre story began
and the walk commenced.
During the walk Mr. Walker pointed out other historical areas and buildings en route.
Nearing the final destination –
At the monument Mr. Walker gave a brief description of the events that occurred that October 2nd morning in 1780. He told of how
Andre accepted his fate exactly 229 years to the day at 12:00 noon. As the proceedings were drawing to a close we were now
approaching that same time. Before leaving the children were able to walk around the monument to read the inscriptions. They had
previously been told that 2009 marked the 130th anniversary of the unveiling of the Andre Monument.
Just after the school bus left an anonymous
gentleman arrived and laid a wreath
on the monument!
note: this year marks the 130th anniversary of the unveiling of the Andre Monument on Andre Hill)
Children from Cottage Lane Elementary School, teachers and parents arrived around 11:00am at The ’76 House on Main Street and
were greeted by Mr. Keith Walker from the Tappantown Historical Society dressed as a Colonial Militiaman.
Tavern keeper Mr. Robert Norden had set Andre’s Prison Room up in theater style seating, so upon entering through the current main
entrance everyone was directed to take a seat for the proceedings to begin.
Mr. Norden gave a brief history of The ’76 House and its use and involvement before, during and after the American Revolution. He
stated that the room everyone was seated in was the exact room where British spy Major John Andre was held captive and that this
was even a tavern at that time not a prison. Mr. Walker told of Andre’s orders from his General Sir Henry Clinton and how by
disregarding these orders he would finally be hanged in Tappan. Everyone was then informed that when they left the restaurant they
were going to walk the exact same route that Major John Andre followed 229 years ago, approximately ¾ of a mile, to the monument
on Andre Hill. Mr. Norden asked everyone to walk past the bar and note the wall hangings, especially the photograph of Andre’s final
internment location and American traitor General Benedict Arnold’s portrait over the fireplace. Everyone left The ’76 House by the
same door Andre had left that fateful morning onto Main Street to retrace Andre’s walk.
Where today’s Andre story began
and the walk commenced.
During the walk Mr. Walker pointed out other historical areas and buildings en route.
Nearing the final destination –
- the beginning of Andre Hill and
a profound moment for Andre.
At the monument Mr. Walker gave a brief description of the events that occurred that October 2nd morning in 1780. He told of how
Andre accepted his fate exactly 229 years to the day at 12:00 noon. As the proceedings were drawing to a close we were now
approaching that same time. Before leaving the children were able to walk around the monument to read the inscriptions. They had
previously been told that 2009 marked the 130th anniversary of the unveiling of the Andre Monument.
Just after the school bus left an anonymous
gentleman arrived and laid a wreath
on the monument!
All Colonial Day 2009 photos copyright Stephen Melniszyn - MZ Photopgraphy.
(please click on the image to view full-size photo)
(please click on the image to view full-size photo)
Benjamin Franklin
Bagpipes
Members of the Fifth New York Regiment
saluting the Founder
saluting the Founder
Musket Fire
February 26, 2010 Annual Dinner and Achievement Awards 2010
April 11, 2010 2:00pm at the Manse Barn
Educational Program: Stories of the "First People:" the Tappaans and their Neighbors.
Educational Program: Stories of the "First People:" the Tappaans and their Neighbors.
On April 11th, 2010, the Tappantown Historical Society and the Piermont Historical Society will jointly offer a program about the Native
American groups identified by early Dutch settlers as the first inhabitants of the Lower Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey. In a
presentation entitled Stories of the "First People:" the Tappaans and their Neighbors, noted regional historian and author Kevin
W. Wright will provide a detailed portrait of tribal life and the relationship between the natives and the newly-arrived Europeans
during the seventeenth century in eastern Bergen and Rockland counties.
Wright, a New Jersey native, is the author of the recently published 1609: A Country That Was Never Lost - The 400th Anniversary of
Henry Hudson's Visit with North Americans of the Middle Atlantic Coast. He began his career in historic interpretation at New Jersey’
s Waterloo Village, and served as curator of the Steuben House in River Edge, NJ. Wright was instrumental in the preservation of the
1848 Sussex Courthouse in Newton, NJ, and prepared the National Register nomination for the Newton Town Plot Historic District.
In 1985, Wright’s research supported NJ’s claims to Ellis and Liberty Islands, and in 2000 he became the first Resource Interpretive
Specialist for the Northern Region of New Jersey. Wright is a past president of the Sussex and Bergen County Historical Societies,
and has been a member of the Newton Preservation Advisory Commission since 1987.
Stories of the "First People:" the Tappaans and their Neighbors is the first co-production by the Piermont and Tappantown Historical
Societies. It will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Manse Barn, located at intersection of Old Tappan Road and
Kings Highway in the center of Tappan, NY.
American groups identified by early Dutch settlers as the first inhabitants of the Lower Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey. In a
presentation entitled Stories of the "First People:" the Tappaans and their Neighbors, noted regional historian and author Kevin
W. Wright will provide a detailed portrait of tribal life and the relationship between the natives and the newly-arrived Europeans
during the seventeenth century in eastern Bergen and Rockland counties.
Wright, a New Jersey native, is the author of the recently published 1609: A Country That Was Never Lost - The 400th Anniversary of
Henry Hudson's Visit with North Americans of the Middle Atlantic Coast. He began his career in historic interpretation at New Jersey’
s Waterloo Village, and served as curator of the Steuben House in River Edge, NJ. Wright was instrumental in the preservation of the
1848 Sussex Courthouse in Newton, NJ, and prepared the National Register nomination for the Newton Town Plot Historic District.
In 1985, Wright’s research supported NJ’s claims to Ellis and Liberty Islands, and in 2000 he became the first Resource Interpretive
Specialist for the Northern Region of New Jersey. Wright is a past president of the Sussex and Bergen County Historical Societies,
and has been a member of the Newton Preservation Advisory Commission since 1987.
Stories of the "First People:" the Tappaans and their Neighbors is the first co-production by the Piermont and Tappantown Historical
Societies. It will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Manse Barn, located at intersection of Old Tappan Road and
Kings Highway in the center of Tappan, NY.
Saturday, May 8 9am to 2pm
The 42nd Annual THS Plant Sale – A Perennial Favorite
A THS fund raiser, the Plant Sale will once again be held on the back lawn of the Tappan Reformed Church Manse grounds across
from the Post Office on Old Tappan Road on May 8th from 9am to 2pm.
Perennials from members’ gardens, bedding annuals, herbs, vegetables, small flowering plants and shrubs, baked goods, and
raffle prizes from local restaurants and merchants will be featured. New this year will be cut flowers, heirloom tomatoes, and
colonial garden plant varieties. Master gardeners will be on hand to give advice on planting, mulching, watering, and dealing with
all manner of pests.
If you have perennials to donate to the sale, please call 845-359-1923 or email THS. We can also use help in picking up plants on
Friday afternoon, setting up on Saturday morning, and cleaning up on Saturday afternoon. Be in touch with the above contact
numbers if you can help
The 42nd Annual THS Plant Sale – A Perennial Favorite
A THS fund raiser, the Plant Sale will once again be held on the back lawn of the Tappan Reformed Church Manse grounds across
from the Post Office on Old Tappan Road on May 8th from 9am to 2pm.
Perennials from members’ gardens, bedding annuals, herbs, vegetables, small flowering plants and shrubs, baked goods, and
raffle prizes from local restaurants and merchants will be featured. New this year will be cut flowers, heirloom tomatoes, and
colonial garden plant varieties. Master gardeners will be on hand to give advice on planting, mulching, watering, and dealing with
all manner of pests.
If you have perennials to donate to the sale, please call 845-359-1923 or email THS. We can also use help in picking up plants on
Friday afternoon, setting up on Saturday morning, and cleaning up on Saturday afternoon. Be in touch with the above contact
numbers if you can help
Memorial Day, May 31 Tappan Memorial Day Parade - come march with us!
Saturday, June 12 Chamber music concert in the historic Tappan Reformed Church - Klang String
Quartet Concert
An evening of music, light, and grace
The Tappantown Historical Society is delighted to present the Klang String Quartet in its debut performance in the historic 1835
Tappan Reformed Church on Saturday, June 12, 2010, at 7:30 pm.
The program is an imaginative and intriguing mix of 18th and 19th century European works and two 20th century American
compositions. The program begins with Mozart’s Quartet in B-flat K.589. Composed in 1790, it is among the last quartets he wrote,
and it is noted for giving equal value to the cello among the four instruments. Works by two 20th Century American composers follow:
“Andante” from The String Quartet of 1931 by Ruth Crawford Seeger (considered by many to be the foremost American woman
composer of the 20th Century) and Elliot Carter’s Elegy, an early quartet in a more romantic tradition than his later works. The program
closes with the Mendelssohn Quartet #5, Opus 44 #3 in E flat major composed in 1838 .
The acoustical clarity and the intimacy of the Tappan Reformed Church provide the perfect setting for the depth and subtleties of this
music. Please join the Tappantown Historical Society in celebrating both the debut of this dynamic new ensemble and the completion
of phase 1 - the restoration of the west façade - of the Tappan Reformed Church’s Preservation Project. Listen to the music as the
western light filters through the delicate, shimmering glass of the restored 19 century windows.
Quartet Concert
An evening of music, light, and grace
The Tappantown Historical Society is delighted to present the Klang String Quartet in its debut performance in the historic 1835
Tappan Reformed Church on Saturday, June 12, 2010, at 7:30 pm.
The program is an imaginative and intriguing mix of 18th and 19th century European works and two 20th century American
compositions. The program begins with Mozart’s Quartet in B-flat K.589. Composed in 1790, it is among the last quartets he wrote,
and it is noted for giving equal value to the cello among the four instruments. Works by two 20th Century American composers follow:
“Andante” from The String Quartet of 1931 by Ruth Crawford Seeger (considered by many to be the foremost American woman
composer of the 20th Century) and Elliot Carter’s Elegy, an early quartet in a more romantic tradition than his later works. The program
closes with the Mendelssohn Quartet #5, Opus 44 #3 in E flat major composed in 1838 .
The acoustical clarity and the intimacy of the Tappan Reformed Church provide the perfect setting for the depth and subtleties of this
music. Please join the Tappantown Historical Society in celebrating both the debut of this dynamic new ensemble and the completion
of phase 1 - the restoration of the west façade - of the Tappan Reformed Church’s Preservation Project. Listen to the music as the
western light filters through the delicate, shimmering glass of the restored 19 century windows.
June 6, 2010 Walking Tour through Tappan
Field Report.
Meeting location:
Grounds of DeWint House, Tappan, NY
Present:
Cub Scout Pack 233, Den 2, Nanuet, NY
(Consisting 11 young gentlemen – 9 parents)
Militiaman Walker
Arrived at DeWint House grounds property at 1245 hours. Aforementioned group was beginning the afternoon in the capable hands of
Mrs. Kathy Jones and Mr. Karl Best.
The tour began in the Carriage House museum with the DeWint House/Arnold/Andre video and museum tour by Mr. Best, followed by a
tour of DeWint House with Mrs. Jones.
Upon returning to the Carriage House museum our group was informed of General George Washington’s ancestral home in England.
A brief description of a militiaman’s clothing and armaments and functionality was followed by taking the group outside to be lined up
for a bayonet charge. After a couple of loud “Huzzahs,” from behind the bayonet, a more subdued group was lined up to walk through
the historic town of Tappan.
After crossing Oak Tree Road we walked through the park, where the Tito Puente, Sr. memorial tree was pointed out to our gathering
and onward past the rear of the library to Main Street. Here mention was made of historic and architectural features for some of the
buildings. Our destination was the Tappan Reformed Church, which was now in view.
Inside the church building, the group was informed of this Federal Style building and its architectural features before embarking on our
final trip back along Main street to The Old ’76 House, or as we stated a number of times Andre’s Prison. Our group was handed over
to Tavern keeper Mr. Robert Norden, who regaled them with more Tappan history while they enjoyed ice cream and soda.
Respectfully presented,
Keith H. Walker - June 9, 2010
Our gentlemen recruits leaving the DeWint House Grounds (DeWint House in background)
[Used by permission of Parents]
Field Report.
Meeting location:
Grounds of DeWint House, Tappan, NY
Present:
Cub Scout Pack 233, Den 2, Nanuet, NY
(Consisting 11 young gentlemen – 9 parents)
Militiaman Walker
Arrived at DeWint House grounds property at 1245 hours. Aforementioned group was beginning the afternoon in the capable hands of
Mrs. Kathy Jones and Mr. Karl Best.
The tour began in the Carriage House museum with the DeWint House/Arnold/Andre video and museum tour by Mr. Best, followed by a
tour of DeWint House with Mrs. Jones.
Upon returning to the Carriage House museum our group was informed of General George Washington’s ancestral home in England.
A brief description of a militiaman’s clothing and armaments and functionality was followed by taking the group outside to be lined up
for a bayonet charge. After a couple of loud “Huzzahs,” from behind the bayonet, a more subdued group was lined up to walk through
the historic town of Tappan.
After crossing Oak Tree Road we walked through the park, where the Tito Puente, Sr. memorial tree was pointed out to our gathering
and onward past the rear of the library to Main Street. Here mention was made of historic and architectural features for some of the
buildings. Our destination was the Tappan Reformed Church, which was now in view.
Inside the church building, the group was informed of this Federal Style building and its architectural features before embarking on our
final trip back along Main street to The Old ’76 House, or as we stated a number of times Andre’s Prison. Our group was handed over
to Tavern keeper Mr. Robert Norden, who regaled them with more Tappan history while they enjoyed ice cream and soda.
Respectfully presented,
Keith H. Walker - June 9, 2010
Our gentlemen recruits leaving the DeWint House Grounds (DeWint House in background)
[Used by permission of Parents]
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Events:
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| Tappan 325 years – 1686 to 2011 Tappantown Historic Society Presents the Klang String Quartet in the Historic Tappan Reformed Church The accomplished musicians of the Klang String Quartet return to the historic, newly restored 1835 Tappan Reformed Church in a performance on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 8 pm. The program will include string quartets by Mozart, Beethoven and Shostakovich, and will feature a new work by Tappan composer John Morton for string quartet and music box. The acoustical clarity and the intimacy of the Tappan Reformed Church provide the perfect setting for the Klang String Quartet’s depth and subtlety. The members of the Quartet are Gregor Kitzis, violin 1; Rieko Kawabata, violin 2; Yi-Ping Yang, viola; and Matthew Goeke, cello. John Morton will join them in the performance of his work. Sponsored by the Tappantown Historical Society, the concert is free, but donations will be welcomed. The Tappan Reformed Church is located on Kings Highway in the center of historic Tappan. The Tappantown Historical Society is a 501 ( c ) 3 not-for-profit organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Tappantown Historical Society, PO Box 71, Tappan, NY 10983 |
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| Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 Colonial Day on the DeWint House grounds Tappantown Historical Society invites you to our 27th Annual COLONIAL DAY at The DeWint House Grounds Livingston Street and Oak Tree Road, Tappan, NY Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 12 PM to 5 PM Step back in time and visit Colonial America... Come see Colonial Army Re-enactors and Encampment Soldiers Colonial Singers and Dancers Quilting Embroidery Lace-making See a Blacksmith, Woodworker and Cooper. Ladies and Gentlemen in Colonial Attire preparing for Winter in the DeWint House Kitchen For the children: apple pressing, stenciling, candle-dipping, spinning, butter-making, Colonial Hat and Apron Making, writing with quill pen Farm Animals Sheep Shearer Join costumed guides for a tour of the House, an outstanding example of Dutch Colonial architecture and General George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War. REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE LIMITED ON-SITE PARKING FREE ADMISSION For more information contact: Colonial Day Chairwoman, Lucille Starink 845-359-2307 Tappantown President, Carol Lavalle 845-359-1923 Publicity coordinator, Marilyn Schauder 845-358-7243 *Colonial Day will be held in conjunction with the 12th annual Hudson River Valley Ramble http: //hudsonrivervalleyramble.com a program of over 200 exciting events to be held in the region over 3 weekends in September.* |
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER THE COLONIAL DAY IS CANCELLED.
Please accept our apologies. There is no rain date. We hope to see you
next year.
Please accept our apologies. There is no rain date. We hope to see you
next year.
November 4, 2011 Annual Meeting of the Tappantown Historical Society in
DeWint Carrriage House, 7:30pm. All are invited.
DeWint Carrriage House, 7:30pm. All are invited.
February 24, 2012 Annual Dinner and Achievement Awards 2012.
Please join us!
If you would like to print the invitation please click here
Please join us!
If you would like to print the invitation please click here