Once it was a working farm and later the home of a blacksmith.These days the elegant wood-framed to-story home at 28 Berea Road may best be described as a country home.

Now it’s also considered a historic space.

A small gathering as held on the front lawn, last week, to unveil the historic marker that now sits in front of 28 Berea Road. The blue and yellow marker that honors the Latourette House, is courtesy of a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which offers grants in support of historic marker programs across America. Since 2006, it has funded more than 1,600 signs across the United States. The Historical Society of Walden and the Wallkill Valley is the recipient of this grant.

The house is now property of Jim and Lisa Melvlle McIver. They purchased it from her grandfather in 2010. Frank Clement, a German immigrant, acquired the property in 1953 and continued to live there until the time of his death in May of 2010.

Records indicate that the house was built in 1820 by the Tremper family. Through a series of transactions in 1829 and 1830, Jacob Latourette purchased the house and approximately 120 acres from the Tremper family. After establishing his farmstead, Jacob continued to purchase parcels of land throughout the Village of Walden. Although his primary occupation was farming, he and his neighbor, John T. Haines, co-owned Latourette & Haines Wagon Makers and Blacksmithing.

Jacob Latourette lived in the house until his death on March 21, 1879. Following his wife’s death, the property later passed to their son, Peter Latourette.

At last week’s dedication ceremony, Lisa noted that remnants of the old Blacksmith Shop, as well as old coins and arrowheads, had been located on the property by family members.