Events
WHAT A WONDERFUL EVENING AND WE SOLD OUT! THANK YOU!
We were most fortunate to be inside this splendid home
for a delightful evening.
Across from the North Salem Firehouse is an area rich in history dating back to the 1700s, including the site of the home of the first resident pastor of St. James Church that became a Revolutionary War era tavern (see more below).
This evening was a benefit for the Society and will help us keep the past present by continuing to collect, restore and display the many wonderful historical memorabilia housed at our White Elephant.
If at any time you would like to make a donation, please click on the Donation and use the down arrow to select "Donation!" Many thanks!
Join us in thanking our SPONSORS and all who donated to the historical society
Food by chef Paul Gileno of Hayfields who recently received the Caterer of the Year award from NYS Restaurant Association!
Flowers by Amy's Flowers
Music by Chick's Candy Store
Martin Aronchick & Richard Brooker
Libations by
Goldens Bridge Fine Wines
Please enjoy this bit of history about the area, the homes and the people who lived here.
From early St. James records we know that in 1769 Rev. Epenetus Townsend was given 60 acres of land by Stephen Delancey and he built his home here. But Townsend was a Loyalist and by 1776 he and his family were long gone! According to the 1779 Erskine Map below, drawn for George Washington, a tavern, labeled “Youngwells” was on the site. The Titicus River is drawn across the bottom and here you see from left to right - Capt Steelrod (Delancey Hall), Youngwells Tavern, Salem Church (the first St. James) and Salem Meeting House (the first Presbyterian Meeting House). The tavern could very well have been on the same foundation as the Vogliano house but we do not have the information yet to make that leap.
In 1809 Epenetus Wallace bought the 60 acres and settled into the home. Was he already living there? Did he run the tavern? We understand that the original Wallace house sustained a fire. Was the whole house demolished or just a part of it? In later years the house, while generally similar in structure, did undergo several renovations. This photo of the house from 1909 is compliments of the Westchester County Historical Society.
Below are two more images from the WCHS collection of ice skaters on the pond that was commonly referred to in more recent times as Hy William's Pond. You catch a glimpse of the house in the photo on the right.
In a 1933 real estate appraisal the house is described as a four-bedroom home on 16 acres including a 5-acre lake, three-car garage and a barn with three box stalls and poultry house combined.
The central part of the Vogliano home appears to be the same as the 1909 Wallace home, but only more research will help us identify its age. As the town prepares for celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we hope to see more information arise through research, archaeological digs and sharing of information throughout the area. Please stay tuned, and join us on the 9th!