Community

Explore Benedict Arnold’s Treason Plot at the Haverstraw Brick Museum

Published

4 days ago

July 7, 2026

One of the most infamous moments of the American Revolution unfolded in Haverstraw on Sept. 22, 1780, when General Benedict Arnold secretly met with British Major John André to hand over plans for the fortifications at West Point.

The meeting took place at the home of Joshua Hett Smith, where Arnold’s plot to surrender the strategically vital Hudson River fortress to the British took shape. The conspiracy ultimately failed after André was captured carrying the secret documents, while Arnold escaped to British lines, forever cementing his name as a synonym for treason.

For many years, the house commonly identified as Joshua Hett Smith’s home was believed to be the location of the historic meeting. However, historian Richard J. Koke later determined that the building was actually owned by Smith’s brother, Thomas Smith.

Historical records also reveal that before and after the Revolutionary War, the Smith family enslaved numerous people. Historian David Cole described the family as “landlords with many tenants” who were “thoroughly disliked by those tenants for their proud carriage,” providing additional context to the property’s complex history.

Visitors interested in learning more about Haverstraw’s role in the American Revolution can explore the story at the Haverstraw Brick Museum, which is featuring an America 250 exhibition highlighting the area’s Revolutionary War history. The museum is open Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., with weekday visits available by appointment.

This serves as a reminder that some of the most pivotal chapters of the Revolutionary War occurred right here in the Hudson Valley.

The Haverstraw Brick Museum requests a recommended donation for admission rather than charging a mandatory admission fee.

Current suggested donations are:

Adults: $6
Children: $3

📸 NY State Archives, NYSA_A3045-78_D47_HeH

Community

Orangeburg Fire Department to Host Community Blood Drive Amid Blood Emergency

Published

1 hour ago

July 11, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

As blood supplies remain critically low, the Orangeburg Fire Department is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and help save lives by participating in an upcoming community blood drive.

The blood drive will be held Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orangeburg Fire House, located at 61 Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg.

Hosted in partnership with the New York Blood Center, the event comes as a blood emergency has been declared, highlighting the urgent need for donors to help replenish the region’s blood supply. Blood donations are essential for trauma victims, surgery patients, cancer treatments and others facing medical emergencies.

Appointments are preferred and can be made through the New York Blood Center at NYBC.org, although walk-in donors will be welcomed as space permits.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with a signed parental consent form, meet minimum weight requirements, be feeling healthy and symptom-free, and bring a donor ID card or a photo ID.

Organizers also encourage donors to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

Every blood donation has the potential to save lives, making each donor’s contribution an important step in ensuring local hospitals have the blood they need when emergencies arise.

Community

Rockland Residents Urged to Donate Blood as Regional Supply Faces Ongoing Need

Published

1 hour ago

July 11, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

With only about 2% of eligible New Yorkers donating blood, maintaining an adequate blood supply remains an ongoing challenge for hospitals in Rockland County, the Hudson Valley and across the state.

Unlike many medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured, and because blood products have a limited shelf life, the need for donors never ends. Red blood cells can be stored for about 42 days, while platelets remain usable for only five to seven days, requiring a constant supply of new donations to meet patient needs.

Blood transfusions play a critical role in treating trauma victims, surgical patients, cancer patients and others facing life-threatening medical emergencies. According to the New York Blood Center, a single blood donation can help save up to three lives.

To help strengthen the regional blood supply, Rockland Paramedic Services is partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a community blood drive on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RPS headquarters in New City as part of NYBC’s “Blood for a Brew” campaign.

As first responders, paramedics witness firsthand the importance of having blood readily available before an emergency occurs. Organizers say the event is intended to raise awareness of the region’s ongoing need for blood donors while encouraging eligible residents to make a donation that could benefit patients throughout the Hudson Valley.

Officials emphasize that maintaining a strong local and regional blood supply depends on regular donors. Because blood products expire quickly and demand remains constant, every donation helps ensure hospitals have lifesaving blood available when it is needed most.

Residents who are eligible to donate are encouraged to participate in the Aug. 6 blood drive and help support hospitals and patients across the region.