Blauvelt Historic Homes and Places
(Homes and Place descriptions courtesy of The Historical Society of Rockland County, NY)
Johannes Isaac Blauvelt House
453 N. Western Highway
This dutch farmhouse on the northwest corner of the Tappen Patent contains late 18th century construction features. Johannes (1743-1828) was a charter member of the Greenbush Church. His son David began Rockland County’s first tobacco business there. Abrahm M. Blauvelt (gunsmith) repaired guns and watches here and rented boats on the Hackensack River in the rear. The Blauvelt family occupied these premises for 135 years.
David Johannes Blauvelt House
335 N. Western Highway
David Johannes Blauvelt (1770-1847) built this sandstone brick fronted home in the early 1800’s for his daughter Marritje and her husband Richard Amos. David was a very successful merchant in tobacco who lived with his daughter and son-in-law.
Gerret Blauvelt House
36 Old Western Highway
Gerret Joseph Blauvelt (1731-1810), a weaver, built this sandstone house ca. 1763. The land, acquired from his mother, is on the northern part of the Tappan Patent. The Greenbush Presbyterian Church was organized at a meeting held here in 1812, when Abraham Blauvelt, son of Gerret, owned the house. This house remained in the Blauvelt family until 1900.
Greenbush Presbyterian Church
Western Highway
In October 1812, ten founders, nine of whom were Blauvelts, held their first organizational meeting for this new church. The first stone church was dedicated in 1824. It was destroyed by fire in 1835. A second church built on the old walls was dedicated in 1837. It also burned in 1882. The present church, in the Gothic style, was dedicated in 1883 with the tower and bell erected in 1896. Many Blauvelts are buried in the cemetery adjoining the church.
Blauvelt-Norris-Burr House
608 Western Highway
The main section and south kitchen of this Dutch home were built ca. 1790-1800, the north addition ca. 1840, on land previously owned by David Bogert. The first known occupant was Garret I. Blauvelt. In 1853 the farm was acquired by John S. Norris, an architect and builder. In 1885 it was purchased by the Burr family who owned it for 56 years.
Cornelius L. Blauvelt House (not pictured)
86 S. Western Highway
This Dutch house, which now houses the Blauvelt Public Library, was built in the early 1800’s by Cornelius I. Blauvelt. Many features of the original home such as the south entrance with side-lights and an elliptical fanlight still remain. A late Federal fireplace mantel with twin spindles and an earlier sunburst mantel are still present in the west rooms.
Jacob J. Blauvelt Homestead
140 S. Western Highway
Jacob J. Blauvelt (1757-1834) built the main section of this sandstone house ca. 1780 on his father’s farm. The east end was added later. A west wing was replaced by the present frame construction ca. 1830. Jacob inherited the house and 148 acres of the farm from his father, Johannes J. Blauvelt. The farm extended to the Hackensack River.
Johannes J. Blauvelt Homestead
514 Western Highway
Jacob A. Blauvelt and family, the first of seven generations of Blauvelts to live on this farm occupied a log structure nearby early in the 18th century. Jacob’s son, Johannes J. Blauvelt, built the sandstone south wing of the home ca. 1755. The center section was added after the Revolutionary War and the north wing ca. 1862. This house was used as an officers’ club during World War II.
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