The DePew House History & Exhibition
The DePew House was built by Isaac DePew around the time of the American Revolution and was maintained by the original family until 1881. After this time it was owned by the Blauvelt and Morrell families and by 1929 the homestead and farm was purchased by the State of New York as part of the Rockland Psychiatric Hospital's 638 acre facility. It was acquired by the Town of Orangetown and in 2004 the Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives began renovation and officially opened to the public in 2007. It is a typical Dutch sandstone house with a gambrel roof; the clapboard addition in the 1930's serves the museum with extra exhibition space. This sandstone and frame homestead now hosts our museum’s changing exhibits, archives, and offices.
Opening April 27 at the DePew House!
In 1976 America was set to celebrate the 200th anniversaary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - and Orangetown was ready.
With significant revolutionary roots - from the signing of the Orangetown Resolutions, Washington’s headquarters at the DeWint House, Molly Sneden’s ferry, Maj. John Andre’s trial and hanging to Sir Guy Carlton’s tribute to the new republic- we were where history happened. The Bicentennial provided Americans with a way to honor the past and prepare for the future while taking a break form the Vietnam War Watergate scandal and cultural upheavals of the previous decade. Hopes and dreams for a better society suffered many setbacks in the 70’s, but the American dream continued.
As we prepare for the nation’s Semiquincentennial - the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, looking back From Democracy to Disco can serve as a blueprint for the future.