The Valentine-Varian House, which is also the Museum of Bronx History, is a pre-revolutionary era house built in 1758. During the Revolutionary War (1776-1783), the Valentine home was occupied by British, Hessian, and American troops. Except for 11 months between 1775-1776, Valentine and his family remained in the house throughout the war. The house, close in proximity to cannons clustered on a nearby hill, miraculously survived several fierce battles. Financial ruin forced Isaac Valentine to sell the home and the 260-acre property to Isaac Varian, a successful butcher and farmer, in 1792. The Varians kept the house for three generations; one of Isaac’s grandsons (also named Isaac) served as New York City’s 63rd mayor, from 1839-1841.

Access to the house is limited to 15 people at a time.