Columbia County's Historic Sites
Austerlitz Historical Society
Rt 22, Austerlitz
http://www.oldausterlitz.org
A Museum Complex - Old Austerlitz, which houses artifacts, photos and memorabilia relating to the Town and a collection of 18th and 19th century buildings, the Society also offers a full slate of programs and events.
Clermont State Historic Site
Off Route 9G, Clermont
518-537-4240
http://www.friendsofclermont.org
Visitor information for detour along Rt 9G: http://www.friendsofclermont.org/maps/index.html
Livingston family estate. Tours offered April 1 - October 31, Tuesday - Sunday and Monday holidays 11am-5pm (last tour begins at 4pm) ; November - December, Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm (last tour begins at 3pm). The grounds and historic gardens are open all year offering picnicking, hiking, cross country skiing, and fabulous views of the Hudson River. Vehicle Fee in effect April 1 - October 31 (which is refunded with the purchase of a house tour ticket).
Columbia County Museum and Library*
5 Albany Ave, Kinderhook Village
518-758-9265
http://www.cchsny.org
Changing exhibits, research library
Monday, Thursday, Friday 10am-4pm; Saturday 10am - 4pm; Sunday 12 - 4pm.
Edna St. Vincent Millay “Poetry Trail” at Steepletop
A 1/2 mile narrow country wood road for walking only is marked with a dozen favorite nature poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The trail ends at the final resting ground of the poet and her family.
Open all year - please use caution during inclement weather.
East Hill Road - 2 miles in from Route 22, south of Route 203, Austerlitz or 3/4 of a mile from the north end of East Hill Road - follow the historic site sign arrows on Rt 22.
http://www.millay.org
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Steepletop” House and Garden Tours
436 East Hill Rd, Austerlitz
518-392-EDNA (3362)
http://www.millay.org
The Millay Society has scheduled this partial opening of the house to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Millay’s death.
Guided House Tours by reservation only Friday – Monday 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm $15
Guided Garden Tours by appointment Friday – Tuesday $12
Exhibit “Where She Lived” Thursday – Tuesday 11am-4pm $8
Combination Ticket $25
Tours run until Monday October 18
FASNY Museum of Firefighting
117 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson
518-822-1875
http://www.fasnyfiremuseum.com
The FASNY Museum of Firefighting is the home of the premiere collection of American firefighting artifacts in the world, featuring over 90 pieces of apparatus on display. Children’s activities include creative play in select fire engines and interactive activities that are both educational and fun. Whether you’re a family, a firefighter or a student of history, you will be amazed at the depth and variety of the museum’s vast collection. Hours 10-5 daily, closed Memorial Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter. Admission: adults $5, Children 5 and over $2, children 4 and under-free and family rate (2 adults and their 2 children) $10.
Hudson Athens Lighthouse
The northern-most lighthouse on the Hudson River the Hudson-Athens lighthouse rises from the river like a tiny gem. Visitors may view the lighthouse from the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, Ferry Street,
Hudson. For more information call 518-828-5294 or visit http://www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org. Tours offered the second Saturday from July – October. Call 518-828-5294 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for tour reservations.
For more information on the Hudson River Lighthouses http://www.hudsonlights.com
Hudson Walking Tour - Portrait of a Fascinating City
MaryAnn Zimmerman, Hudson Valley Journeys
917-880-6732 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
http://www.poshnosh.com
The city’s vast architectural history and its relation to the history of the residents; $10/family
James Vanderpoel House*
Broad Street (Rt 9), Kinderhook Village
518-758-9265
http://www.cchsny.org
Also known as the House of History, is a distinguished example of Federal period architecture. hosts Inked Over: How Prints Are Made. An exhibit that explains the printing technologies and processes behind many of the objects on display at the Museum. Admission to the Vanderpoel House includes a visit to the Columbia County Historical Society’s Museum and Library to see Inked Over: Our Printed World.
June through Labor Day Friday & Saturday 10-4pm and Sunday 12-4pm.
Kinderhook Reformed Church Historic Tours
21 Broad Street, Kinderhook Village
518-758-6410
http://www.kinderhookreformedchurch.com
A historic 1869 church building, a church that was organized by Dutch settlers in 1712. Sit in the pew which commemorates Martin Van Buren’s membership, and view the first Bible translated into Arabic by Cornelius Van Alen Van Dyck.
Tours are every Saturday from July 4th weekend through Columbus Day weekend from 10am-noon.
Livingston History Barn
County Route 19, Livingston
518-851-7637
http://www.livingstontown.com/history.html
Small Museum with artifacts from the beginning of the settlement of the Town of Livingston. Research Room for genealogical work is available.
Open all year - Saturday 9am-1pm… by appointment on Wednesday evenings, please call 518-851-7206.
Luykas Van Alen House*
Rt 9H, Kinderhook
518-758-9265
http://www.cchsny.org
1737 Dutch farmhouse with mid-18th century furnishings; site used in Martin Scorsese’s
“The Age of Innocence”; property includes c. 1850 Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse,
June - Columbus Day Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 12-4pm
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
1013 Old Post Road (off Route 9H), Kinderhook
518-758-9689 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.nps.gov/mava
The home and farm of the eighth president of the United States. The mansion is also where Van Buren managed two presidential campaigns and entertained politicians and celebrities during the turbulent 1840’s and 1850’s
The site is open daily 9am-4pm until October 31; abbreviated hours on November weekends; grounds open 7am - sunset all year.
To learn more about our American presidents visit the National Park Service website
AMERICAN PRESIDENTS
Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/presidents/index.html
Olana State Historic Site
5720 Route 9G, Hudson
518-828-0135
http://www.olana.org or http://www.nysparks.com
Visitor information for detour along Rt 9G: http://olana.org/visit_directions.php
Home and estate of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church; the 250 acre grounds are open year around 8am until sunset. Hiking, picnicking, birding, snow-shoeing and cross country skiing are available seasonally along with programs and special events. Recreational activities on the pond include fishing (with valid NYS fishing license and permit), kayaks and non-motored boats. Permits for these activities are available from the Site Manager’s office. Tours of the house are April - October Tuesday - Sunday and Monday holidays 10am-5pm (last tour at 4pm); November - March Friday - Sunday 11am - 4pm (last tour at 3pm). Vehicle Fee weekends April 1 - October 31(refunded with the purchase of a tour ticket).
Ongoing events *
Olana on the Move Backpacks Thurs - Sun 12-4pm Explore the Olana landscape with self-guided activities to enrich family visits. Take your sketches home, or donate them to our ongoing public exhibit. Must leave a photo ID until backpack is returned.
ARTlandish! Sundays 1-4pm Create art in the landscape-not such an outlandish idea! Frederic Church sketched outside noting details in nature and went back to the studio to paint. Drop-in for sketch paper, pencils and clipboards. Head out into Olana’s picturesque landscape to sketch your very own view. Come back to the “studio” to use colored pencils, oil pastels and watercolors to finish your artwork.
Art in the Barn Saturdays 12-4pm Go on a family tour of the house to be inspired, then come down to the farm to be an artist. Music, story-telling, dance, movement and open art studio time for our youngest artists. New projects every Saturday. To celebrate Columbia County Historical Society’s “Inked Over” theme, stamping and printing activities will also be included in our projects. Monthly Themes: Architecture; Farm History; Art and Nature; The Hudson River.
*Vehicle use fee applies when entering the site until October 31.
Robert Jenkins House
113 Warren St, Hudson
518-828-9764
1811 Federal style home housing the City of Hudson’s whaling lore, military artifacts and the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Early Spring - Columbus Day weekend - Saturdays 1-5pm or call for an appointment.
Roeliff Jansen Histoircal Society
Rt 344 & Miles Rd (near Taconic State Park)
518-329-5751
Local history of the Roeliff Jansen area of Columbia County (Ancram, Copake, Hillsdale, Gallatin and Taghkanic).
July - August Saturday & Sunday 2-4pm
Samuel Tilden Gravesite
Cemetery of the Evergreens, Cemetery Rd, off Rt 22, New Lebanon.
Winner of the 1876 election by 250,000 votes but lost the election by one electoral point.
Shaker Museum & Library at the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village
20 Darrow Rd, New Lebanon - Tours available in Season
Shaker Museum Rd, off County Route 13, Old Chatham - Administrative Office
518-794-9100
http://www.shakermuseumandlibrary.org
Seasonal outdoor tours of buildings at the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village - please call for tour information, scheduled programming, Research library located at Old Chatham site
* Owned and operated by the Columbia County Historical Society