There’s history at every turn in our charming county. Spend a day or two exploring the northern half of our county with a visit to Lindenwald, the farm and mansion of our 8th president, Martin Van Buren where he managed two presidential campaigns and entertained politicians and celebrities during the turbulent 1840s and 1850s. Then head over to the James Vanderpoel House in Kinderhook and explore a distinguished example of Federal period architecture and an elegant 19th century the home of a prominent lawyer and politician. Head back in time to the Luykas Van Alen House, a restored house museum representing 18th-century rural Dutch farm life. At the same site is the Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse, whose headmaster was Washington Irving’s model for his famous character in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” A few miles down the road is America’s premier collection of Shaker furniture, textiles, manuscripts, art and more at the Old Chatham Shaker Museum & Library. Nearby, the charming villages of Chatham, Kinderhook and Valatie offer their own feeling of history and plenty of delightful shops and restaurants to please any palate!

Swing south and our county offers several destinations that draw visitors from around the world. Start with America’s foremost landscape artist, Frederic Church and Olana. His Persian style house and 250 acres of picturesque grounds are a masterpiece as grand as any of his paintings, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Hudson Valley. Further south is the Clermont State Historic Site, encompassing 500 acres of the historic Livingston family estate, where generations of this important American family lived. Back up to the city of Hudson, a beautifully preserved 19th century town, with a dazzling array of American architecture, antiques shops, exquisite dining, art galleries and more, offer a visitor seemingly endless delights. And, for a unique and family-friendly outing, visit the Museum of Firefighting and experience 300 years of thrilling artifacts, magnificent floor-to-ceiling displays of historic paintings, dramatic photos, badges, helmets, torches and antique toys. And a one-of-a-kind collection of hundreds of fire trucks!