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Tour the House
The Meeting Room
The Dining Room (Schrade Room)
The Front Hall
The Living Room (Embler-Hill)
The Stairs
Large Upstairs Bedroom
Small Upstairs Bedroom



Local History Day & Resources 2006 Special Vet's Day Program
2008-Walden in the Civil War
2009-Virtual Cemetery Tour
2010-Local Genealogy
2011-Author: Lisa Melville
2012-Civil War: Walden,CO. H
Washington Post article: Co H-2014
2013-Textile Industry in Walden
2014-Knifetown USA: Part I-
The New York Knife Company
2015-Old House Superstitions &
Treasures: Concealment Shoes
2016-Knifetown USA:
Parts II & III-
-Walden Knife Company &
-Schrade Cutlery
2017-Mail Call: Letters from War

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Visit our town:
www.villageofwalden.org

History Links:
American Memory Project
Cornell's Making of America


Local History Book Publisher Sites
Black Dome Press
Hope Farm Press

Native settlements sprinkled the banks of the Wallkill River and shared this scenic spot atop a 40-foot waterfall with our early ancestors. Your family history, if you were born in this historic area, more than likely melts into one of the long lines of many early immigrant settlers.

The Jacob T. Walden House as pictured in an 1887 close-up of Montgomery & Wait Streets from a panoramic map of Walden, NY
-- Source: Library of Congress site -- full 1887 Walden, NY Map (updated 3-2-26)

The house built around 1768-1788 is a fine example of Hudson Valley Dutch Colonial architecture. It is constructed of cut stone and has walls about 2 feet thick, which is indicated by the depth of the window sills. The house is situated on land that was originally part of the Gatehouse patent land grant. It is believed that Samuel Erwin and his heirs enlarged the original home by adding this stone structure to a smaller frame house that no longer exists.

In 1813, wealthy New York City shipping merchant, Jacob Treadwell Walden, purchased a home from the heirs of Samuel Erwin, (during the time the village was called Kidd Town) and moved his family here. He built textile mills powered by the Wallkill River and Falls. He also purchased many plots of land near the falls on both sides of the river. The Jacob T. Walden house is located on North Montgomery Street, out of view but well within earshot of the raging "High Falls." The village was officially renamed for him in 1855.

This stone house is made from local shale and limestone blocks and still has the original Dutch double front door. It became one of the first Walden structures to be proudly named to the New York State and National Register of Historic Places. The Walden House is now the home of the Historical Society of Walden and Wallkill Valley.

1958 2007

The Historical Society of Walden & the Wallkill Valley owns and maintains the historic home that Mr. Walden referred to as "Old Hearthstone." It is as we feel Mr.Walden might have furnished his home when he moved here from New York City, but none of the furnishings* in the house belonged to the Walden family. (One item in the collection is flagged as possibly being from Mr. Walden's home--but the source is not documented.)

Our over 240 year old stone house now has a new roof, completed in May/June of 2024, thanks to an unbelievable gift by Mr. Bill Glass of Max Construction, who completely DONTATED the beautiful new roof (Old style tiles but made of new and recycled products that will last). We can't begin to thank him and Max Construction, their partners and staff for all the donated time and products. Jacob T. would be very happy to see "Old Hearthstone," as he reportedly called his home, looking so well in 2025.

In addition to owning and maintaining this beautiful old stone home, the Society also owns & maintains the Shafer House
(c 1910) now a Museum, located around the corner at 12 Wait Street. Both properties are open for tours on specific dates and general meeting dates are the 3rd Wednesday of each Month--or by appointment. As an all-volunteer organization and no outside funding, we are the volunteer caretakers of the two properties as well as spending many hours on historical research, maintaining an archive of donated items, maintaining the grounds and reporting on our rich local history.

Trustees are voted in from the Volunteer Member roster. Your interest and your membership means everything to our ability to continue to serve the community and preserve our history. The Shafer House Museum is an over 100-year old home. The downstairs is occasionally used for meetings and special exhibits as it has larger ground floor space that allows for easier displays. Please consider suggesting Membership to friends and family, donate local historical items, and join the Society and/or give Memberships as gifts to reap the full benefits of our local museum and of being a member. Please come out for our talks and meetings and enjoy our great speakers and programs this year. Programs and events are usually free (with the exception of the fundraisers) and open to the public.

More recent view of the side of the house.

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