Community

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

Published

3 months 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

Italian-American Heritage Month Celebrated in Rockland County

Published

6 days ago

October 2, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

October is a time to celebrate the history, traditions and contributions of Italian Americans—and in Rockland County, that heritage runs deep.

Every October, communities across the United States recognize Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, honoring generations of Italian immigrants and their descendants who have helped shape American life.

In Rockland County, Italian-American heritage can be found throughout the community—in family-owned businesses and restaurants, churches, civic organizations and generations of families who have made the county their home.

The story is part of a much larger American immigration experience. Beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of Italians came to the United States seeking opportunity and a better future. Over generations, Italian-American families established roots, built businesses, entered the professions and became active members of their communities.

Their influence extends far beyond food and family traditions. Italian Americans have made significant contributions to the arts, entertainment, science, business, education, public service and countless other areas of American life.

A Heritage Passed Down

For many Rockland families, heritage is preserved through traditions shared from one generation to the next—from recipes and family gatherings to photographs, stories and the memories of relatives who came to America.

Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month was first designated by Congress in 1989, establishing October as a time to recognize Italian-American history and contributions. The observance also coincides with Columbus Day, traditionally celebrated on October 12 and now observed federally on the second Monday of October.

While Christopher Columbus remains a significant historical figure for many Italian Americans, his legacy and the consequences of European exploration are also subjects of ongoing historical discussion. The heritage month provides a broader opportunity to recognize the experiences and accomplishments of Italian Americans themselves.

For Rockland County, October is a chance to celebrate a heritage that remains very much alive—not only in the traditions of previous generations, but in the families, businesses and communities carrying those traditions forward today.

It is a celebration of where those families came from, what they built, and the legacy they continue to pass on.

Community

Free AI Smart Glasses Available to Visually Impaired Veterans

Published

1 week ago

September 29, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Visually impaired veterans in the community may be eligible to receive free AI-powered smart glasses through a program being distributed by the Suffern Free Library in partnership with TechSoup.

The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 1 smart glasses are designed to provide hands-free assistance for people with low vision. According to the program information, the glasses can read text, books and signs aloud, describe a user’s surroundings and assist with hands-free navigation.

The glasses can also be used to take photos and video and to play music.

Who Can Qualify?

The program is available to veterans who:

Have low vision
Own a smartphone
Attend one of the required training workshops

Participants must complete a training session to learn how to use the technology and its accessibility features.

Upcoming Training Workshops

Training sessions are scheduled at the Suffern Free Library on the following dates:

September 22 at 4:30 p.m. with Senator Weber
September 30 at 1:30 p.m. with Senator Weber
October 27 at 4 p.m.
October 28 at 11 a.m.

Interested veterans are encouraged to register online through the Suffern Free Library.

The library is located at 210 Lafayette Ave. in Suffern, New York. For additional information, call 845-357-1237 or visit the library’s website.

The program is being offered as an effort to provide veterans with technology that may help them navigate their surroundings and perform everyday tasks more independently.