Van Campen Homestead Project:
A Positive Step Forward

Ever since the gentle Minisink was disrupted by the Tocks Island Dam project, it understandably has been difficult to avoid finding fault and criticizing politicians, the Corps of Engineers, and the National Park Service for  errors, problems, and failures. (See the whole story here.) Yet today, that really doesn’t accomplish much, and isn’t adequate to help the wonderful valley that remains.

Many volunteer efforts have worked hard on laudable projects, and while some have been successful, it takes organized, sustained and thoughtful effort to achieve results. It’s not easy!

Now, however, a group effort is underway, taking a solid step forward. Initiated by local resident Ken deLodzia, with help from a number of others, and working in concert with the respected Friends of the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area, and in concert with the National Park Service and Van Campen family members.

This effort has the right ingredients: initiative,  initial visible results, and now cooperation and integration with an established, successful and experienced organization and members of the historic Van Campen family.

It all began with an idea, coupled with hard work and planning, to clear the Calno Van Campen Cemetery. The work has been shown here. From that evolved the idea of a broader project, within a manageable and defined historic area.

Hence, the Van Campen Homestead Project. Expanding out from the Cemetery, it will now endeavor to address the protection and improvement of nearby facilities: 

• The historic Abraham Van Campen house, the oldest home in Warren County, from where the area’s development began, last occupied by the last Mayor of Pahaquarry, who was an advocate of everything good in the area: Jean Zipser.
• The Benjamin Van Campen house, also nearby, also occupied by the Van Campens.
• The nearby ruins of the Van Campen fort.
• The historic Depue cemetery nearby.