Columbia County's Historic Sites
Clermont State Historic Site
Off Route 9G, Clermont
518-537-4240
http://www.friendsofclermont.org
Livingston family estate. Tours offered April 1 - October 31, Tuesday - Sunday and Monday holidays 11am-5pm; November 1 - March 31 weekends 11am-4pm.
The grounds and historic gardens are open all year offering picnicking, hiking, cross country skiing, and fabulous views of the Hudson River. Come and browse the exhibit celebrating the Livingston-Fulton Steamship Bicentennial. Vehicle Fee in effect April 1 - October 31 (which is refunded with the purchase of a house tour ticket).
Columbia County Museum*
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.
FASNY Museum of Firefighting
117 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson
518-822-1875 or 877-347-3687
or http://www.fasnyfiremuseum.com
The FASNY Museum of Firefighting is the home of the premiere collection of American firefighting artifacts in the world. More than 50,000 square feet of fire engines, equipment and gear depict the history of firefighting over the last 300 years. 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. Open daily 10am-5:00pm. Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Free admission and wheelchair accessible.
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 Hudson Waterfront Park, Front Street, Hudson or take a regularly scheduled tour offered the second Saturday from July – October.
Contact the Hudson Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society at 518-828-5294 or http://www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org.
For more information on the Hudson River Lighthouses http://www.hudsonlights.com
James Vanderpoel House*
The James Vanderpoel House is closed to the public. It will re-open in the Fall of 2008 as the Center for Columbia County History. Please contact the Columbia County Historical Society at 518/758-9265 for more information on the exciting plans for this site.
Livingston History Barn
County Route 19, Livingston
518-851-7637
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 - Wednesday 4:30pm - 6:30pm and Saturday 9am-1 pm
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. 1920 Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse,
Call for hours: 518 758-9265
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
1013 Old Post Road (off Route 9H), Kinderhook
518-758-9689 or
http://www.nps.gov/mava
The home and farm of the eighth president of the United States
open May 19 - October 31, 2008 : daily 9am-4pm; abbreviated hours on November weekends
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 from Route 22, Austerlitz
http://www.millay.org
Mount Lebanon Shaker Village
Darrow Road (off Route 20), New Lebanon
518-794-9100
http://www.mountlebanonshakervillage.org
Owned by the Shaker Museum and Library, who is planning a massive construction of the Stone Barn interior for the future home of the Shaker Museum, are allowing tours of the site during special occasions. Please check the website for the current schedule.
Olana State Historic Site
5720 Route 9G, Hudson
518-828-0135
http://www.olana.org
Home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church. Tours April - October Tuesday - Sunday and official Monday holidays 10am-4pm; November - March Friday - Sunday 11am - 4pm; The 250 acre grounds are open year around from 8am – sunset for hiking, picnicking, cross country skiing as well as concerts and special events. Vehicle Fee April 1 - October 31 (refunded with the purchase of a tour ticket)
Parker O’Malley Air Museum
435 County Route 20 (off Route 9H & Route 66)
518-392-7200
http://www.parkeromalley.org
The museum displays 1920’s - 1940’s artifacts, including exhibits on local aviators, flying vintage aircraft, war memorabilia, wind tunnel, flight simulator - by appointment only, models, Youth Big Band performances. First Monday of the month 10am-4pm
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 D.A.R.; July - September on Saturdays 1-5pm or by appointment.
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
Shaker Museum Rd, off County Route 13, Old Chatham
518-794-9100
http://www.shakermuseumandlibrary.org
Exhibitions featuring Shaker artifacts, orientation gallery, interpretive gallery; picnic area; museum shop, activity center for parent and child to create artwork and crafts together, various events held at the Mt. Lebanon Shaker Village in nearby New Lebanon, self-guided tours May 24 - October 18, 2008 Wednesday - Monday 10am-5pm.
* Owned and operated by the Columbia County Historical Society