Sloat House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sloat House
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East (front) elevation and south profile, 2008
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| Location | Sloatsburg, NY |
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| Nearest city | Paterson, NJ |
| Area | 1.1 acres (4,500 m2) |
| Built | 1755 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001301 |
| Added to NRHP | 1974 |
The Sloat House is a historic stone house in Sloatsburg, United States. It was built in the mid-1700s. Later, a wooden front part was added in the early 1800s. This house was home to the Sloat family for many years. The village of Sloatsburg is even named after them!
Many important events happened at the Sloat House. George Washington visited it during the Revolutionary War. Also, John D. Sloat, who later became the first American governor of California, was born here. The house was a meeting spot for local leaders during and after the Revolution. In 1974, it became the first building in Sloatsburg to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.
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What Does the Sloat House Look Like?
The Sloat House has two main parts, built at different times. The older back part, called the kitchen wing, is one and a half stories tall. It measures about 22 by 30 feet (6.7 by 9.1 meters). This section is covered in wooden siding, except for one wall made of rough stone. It still has two original Dutch doors with their old hinges. There's also a covered porch.
The main front part of the house is bigger, measuring about 34 by 48 feet (10.4 by 14.6 meters). It is two and a half stories high. This section is made of stone with a brick front, all painted white. A porch runs along the entire front of the house. The main door opens into four large rooms on the ground floor. Each room has its own original fireplace with a wooden mantel. Both parts of the house have six chimneys. The roofs are covered with asphalt shingles. The house also has a full basement.
Outbuildings at the Sloat House
There are three other old buildings on the property. These include a small barn, a large stable, and a wellhouse. These buildings were used for farming long ago. They are also considered important parts of the historic listing.
A Look Back: History of the Sloat House
People believe there might have been a house on this spot as early as the late 1730s. This was when Isaac Van Deursen became the first European settler in the Ramapo River valley. The oldest part of the current house might even be from that time.
Most local stories say the original part of the house was built in 1755. This was when Stephen Sloat received the land as a wedding gift. An early wooden front was likely on the house during the American Revolution. This war greatly affected both the house and the Sloat family.
Important Meetings and Famous Visitors
In 1774, a big meeting took place at the Sloat House. Local leaders from Orange County met there. They chose two delegates, Henry Wisner and John Haring. These men went to the Provincial Convention of the First Continental Congress. This was an important step towards America's independence.
George Washington himself used the Sloat House as his headquarters on June 6, 1779. He likely visited the house other times during the Revolutionary War too.
A Family's Story: Tragedy and Triumph
In 1781, a sad event happened to the Sloat family. Their son, John, was a captain in the local militia (a group of citizen soldiers). He was accidentally shot and killed in the doorway by one of the guards his father had hired. You can still see the marks from the shots in the doorway today.
John's infant son, also named John, grew up to be a very famous person. This was John D. Sloat, a respected U.S. Navy commodore. He later became the first American governor of California.
The Sloat House as an Inn
Isaac Sloat, John's brother, built the front part of the house around 1813-1814. He ran it as a public house, which was like an inn or tavern. He also hosted yearly meetings for town leaders and judges from Orange and Rockland counties until 1821.
Isaac's son, Stephen, continued to run the house as an inn along the Orange Turnpike. It was known for its great food, but it didn't serve alcohol. The large barn was also built around this time. Stephen's brother, Jacob, built a mill nearby and later built his own house in the village.
Later Owners
In 1905, the Sloat family sold the house to Benjamin Moffatt Jr. He was an immigrant from England. He later became the president of the Sterling iron works nearby. The Moffatt family owned the house throughout the 1900s. Today, it is still a private home.
Images for kids
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East (front) elevation and south profile, 2008
