Roots of American history run deep in Rockland County, and we're exploring a couple iconic landmarks on this Road Trip Close to Home.

Orangeburg sits about 20 miles north of Manhattan, and it's home to Camp Shanks, dubbed Last Stop USA.

The now museum was once the largest staging area for the U.S. Army During World War II.

1.3 million soldiers had gone through Camp Shanks between 1942 and 1946.

Today, it's a place where you can step into a piece of what was once their reality.

"This was more of a R&R type situation," Camp Shanks Director John Gray said, "they would rest here, get their strength and be ready to go fight the enemy."

It's where Gray said many soldiers found solace through recreation, rest and good company.

Visitors will see that through the items displayed in the museum.

And the walls are adorned with countless stories of heroic veterans from Rockland County and beyond.

"The museum is a learning experience for most people," Gray said, "we made a lot of mistakes during the wars, its part of history and that's one of the things we're trying to do here is educate the people on what actually happened during those times."

And Hudson Valley history goes back even further...centuries earlier.

A few minutes down the road from Camp Shanks is the Old '76 House in Tappan, also known as America's oldest tavern.

It was established in 1686, and it shows when you dine in the taproom.

"All the structure, the beams, the walls and the ceiling and the floors are all original," General Manager Thomas Markowski said about the taproom.

The National Landmark has accommodated a number of the country's founding fathers, including George Washington, who also dined in the very same building that stands today.

Between the live music events, food and drinks, the 300-year-old building continues to thrive as a community hot spot.

Dining at the restaurant is like having a meal in a museum, surrounded by historic artifacts and tastes to take you back in time.

"Most of the items on the menu relay to that time period," Executive Chef Doug Mulholland said, "so we do a lot of braising, we do a lot of roasting we do a lot of slow cooking."

From the duck, pork and pot roast to the seafood salads and soups, the menu is carefully curated and bursts with flavor across the board.

And this is just scratching the surface.

It's an adventure through the ages of American history that's waiting for you to explore on a "Road Trip: Close to Home" in Rockland County.

The '76 house has a constant lively line-up of events throughout the year. For more information, click here

For more about its history, click here

Dig deeper into the significance of Camp Shanks and book your visit by clicking here