Apple Tree
House
House
About a hundred yards away from the Sip Manor, and just off Bergen
Square, on what is now known as Academy Street, is an imposing
stone dwelling, covered with aged ivy vines. It used to be called, by
the early residents of Bergen, Apple-tree House, owing to the fact that
Generals Lafayette and Washington dined under the shade of a great
old appletree in its orchard when planning the retreat through the
Jerseys. The house was then owned by Hartman Van Wagenen, a
member of a prominent Bergen family, whose descendants retain it
today. It was one of the largest buildings in the village.
Square, on what is now known as Academy Street, is an imposing
stone dwelling, covered with aged ivy vines. It used to be called, by
the early residents of Bergen, Apple-tree House, owing to the fact that
Generals Lafayette and Washington dined under the shade of a great
old appletree in its orchard when planning the retreat through the
Jerseys. The house was then owned by Hartman Van Wagenen, a
member of a prominent Bergen family, whose descendants retain it
today. It was one of the largest buildings in the village.
In 1824, when General Lafayette arrived in America he was the hero
of the hour, several of the public-spirited citizens decided to present
him with a cane cut from the wood of the famous apple-tree which
was on the site.
of the hour, several of the public-spirited citizens decided to present
him with a cane cut from the wood of the famous apple-tree which
was on the site.
The original homestead grant was approximately 100 acres, the
house now stands on a much smaller property measuring only 72 feet
wide by 184 feet deep. There was an apple orchard and a cider press
on the property. The Dutch Colonial house on the site dates back to
the 1740s and the adjacent structure to the 1820s. The main
two-story, eight-room building of field stone and brick has a gable
roof and a large attic; the wing to the left is a smaller two-story
structure with an attic.
During the Revolutionary War, the location of the house across the
Hudson River from the Loyalist stronghold of New York presented an
opportunity for its use as the headquarters of Lafayette. It was the
largest and tallest building on the heights, overlooking the river and
provided an ideal vantage point for military reconnaissance.
Over the years the home underwent many changes including usage
for a funeral home.Today the home is undergoing a total restoration
and will be used strictly, for city/political usage. Via GENERAL
PUBLIC (TAX DOLLARS)
house now stands on a much smaller property measuring only 72 feet
wide by 184 feet deep. There was an apple orchard and a cider press
on the property. The Dutch Colonial house on the site dates back to
the 1740s and the adjacent structure to the 1820s. The main
two-story, eight-room building of field stone and brick has a gable
roof and a large attic; the wing to the left is a smaller two-story
structure with an attic.
During the Revolutionary War, the location of the house across the
Hudson River from the Loyalist stronghold of New York presented an
opportunity for its use as the headquarters of Lafayette. It was the
largest and tallest building on the heights, overlooking the river and
provided an ideal vantage point for military reconnaissance.
Over the years the home underwent many changes including usage
for a funeral home.Today the home is undergoing a total restoration
and will be used strictly, for city/political usage. Via GENERAL
PUBLIC (TAX DOLLARS)