Historic Sites along The Hudson River

Historic Places

Historic places in the Historic Hudson River Towns area include many estates that are open to the public regularly, as well as many other spots of historic significance that are well-worth visiting. These include:

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is the most frequently visited attraction in the Hudson Valley. Bus tours leave the West Point Visitors Center, just outside the main gate, on a regular schedule.

Bannerman's Island was built to resemble a Scottish fortress and served as an arsenal for one man's collection of armaments.

Constitution Island, across from West Point, was the site of a Revolutionary War fort and home of the Warner Family in the 19th century.

Other places of historic interest can be found on the River Towns History pages of this Web site.

Museums Along The Hudson River

Historic Hudson River Towns offers many wonderful history, maritime and children's museums. Links to local historical society museums also can be found on River Towns pages.

Hudson River Museum

Discover the Hudson River's unique place in American life. Changing exhibits explain how this major waterway helped to settle the northeast. Art collections give visitors a glimpse of life in this historic region. Living exhibits offer the curious a look at some of the creatures that inhabit the river while the museum's spacious galleries show off American art and design of the past century along with work by today's artists. The Hudson River Museum offers a continuous and changing schedule of lectures, seminars, workshops and exhibits. The Museum Shop offers beautiful and unusual objects and designs for all ages and pocketbooks. Trevor Mansion, a 19th century estate built in 1876 sits adjacent to the museum. A prime example of Victorian style, the mansion boasts restored interiors that showcase an important collection of American and European fine and decorative art. Andrus Planetarium, located inside the museum, is the only public planetarium in Westchester County. Come and explore the vast reaches of outer space as you've never seen them before. 511 Warburton Ave. in Yonkers, N.Y. (914) 963-4550. Visit the Hudson River Museum website.

Delaware and Hudson Canal Historical Society Museum

This transportation museum is housed in a 1885 Protestant church in High Falls, N.Y. It features canal-related documents, maps, photographs, diaramas, scale models and artifacts on canals and canal operations. Guided tours, lectures and films are offered. Admission fee. Mohonk Road, High Falls, N.Y. (845) 868-9311. Visit the Delaware and Hudson Canal Historical Society Museum website.

 

Fort Montgomery

The site of an actual Revolutionary War battle between American and British forces, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site is located just south of West Point with a strategically important view of the river past the Bear Mountain Bridge towards New York City. Although the Loyalist forces lost the battle, they turned the tide of the war by not allowing the British to take control of the Hudson River. 690 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery, NY 10922, (845) 446-2134. Visit the Fort Montgomery website.

Foundry School Museum

Collections of the West Point Foundry and the Hudson Valley are housed in this 150-year-old schoolhouse, formerly used by children of the foundry workers. Items from the foundry, including some of the products manufactured there, 19th century paintings, photographs, documents, records and letters are just some of the things visitors to the museum will find. Admission is free. 63 Chestnut St., Cold Spring, N.Y. (845) 265-4010. Visit the Foundry School Museum website.

Fred J. Johnston Museum

View a treasury of American decorative arts, the private collection of nationally noted antiques dealer Fred J. Johnston (1911-93), elegantly displayed in his former home. The circa 1812 Federal style mansion showcases Johnston's collection of 18th and early 19th century furnishing and decorative arts, mostly American, in eight elegant room settings of his design.. The museum is located in Kingston's 1658 Stockade District, a National Historic District. Wall and Main Streets, Kingston, N.Y. (845) 339-0720. Visit the Fred J. Johnston Museum website.

Friends of Historic Kingston Museum

Located adjacent to the Fred J. Johnston Museum (see above). View exhibits relating to Kingston history, culture, art and architecture in the museum gallery. Enjoy monthly lectures and demonstrations by artisans and craftspeople. The gift shop features regional books and handcrafted gift items. There is no admission fee. A narrated walking tour of the 1658 Stockade District is offered on the first Saturday of the month, May-October, departing from the museum courtyard at 2 p.m. The walk passes by many 17th and 18th century stone houses still standing within the Stockade District and guides describe the birth of New York State government in Kingston in 1777. Tour cost: $3 per adult, $1 for children under 16. Group tours and school tours can be arranged. Wall and Main Streets, Kingston, N.Y. (845) 339-0720. Visit the Friends of Historic Kingston Museum website.

Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame

Drive a sulky to the finish line in the World's Only3-D Harness Racing Simulator. Fun for the whole family with riveting state-of-the-art exhibits. Call and judge your own race. Three theaters tell the fascinating history of America's first sport. Changing art exhibits. Group tours, conference and private party facilities available. Gist shop with everything for the horse lover. Fully handicap accessible. 240 Main Street, Goshen NY 10924 (845) 294-6330. Visit the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame website.

Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands

Housed in the 1830 home of David Crawford, this museum features 19th century furnishings and decorative arts. It is also the home to a collection from the Hudson River School of Painting. Nineteenth century toys and dolls, ship models of Hudson River crafts, local historical archives, photographs and artifacts are also found here. The museum contains a 3,000 volume library on local and state history. Prints, crafts, reproductions and gift items are offered for sale. Guided tours, lectures, films, concerts and educational programs for adults and children are scheduled. Admission fee. 189 Montgomery St., Newburgh, N.Y. (845) 561-2585. Visit the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands website.

Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow

A history museum that features: native American artifacts; items from the area's early Dutch settlers; Revolutionary War artifacts, featuring a display on the capture of British Major John Andre, the soldier who obtained the plans for West Point from spy Benedict Arnold; a display on American writer Washington Irving, who lived in Tarrytown and made that area, which he dubbed "Sleepy Hollow" and the entire Hudson Valley famous through his works; firearms; jewelry; clothing; and items from World War I and II. Guided tours and lectures are offered. Admission free. 1 Grove St., Tarrytown, N.Y. (914) 631-8374. Visit the Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow website.

Hudson River Maritime Museum

This regional maritime museum is located on the water in an historic district of Kingston. It features maritime history of the Hudson River including the great steamboats, tug boats, and ice boats. The 1898 steam tug "Mathilda" and the 1915 Rondout Lighthouse can be seen. The museum focuses on the river's place in commerce and industry as well as lighthouses. Annual shad festival in May. Haunted lighthouse in October. Visiting vessels range from replica historic ships to modern Coast Guard ships. Including historic photos, paintings, models, and original boat artifacts, Thomas Cornell & The Cornell Steamship Company is the featured exhibit for 2001. Lighthouse boat tours are given daily for visitors and school groups. 1 Rondout Landing, Kingston, N.Y. (845) 338-0071. Visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum website.

Huguenot Historical Society

Huguenot Street, known as "the oldest street in America with its original houses," has stone houses constructed between 1692 and 1894, as well as a fort and reconstructed 1717 French church and a burying ground. A National Historic Landmark District, the site also features a museum shop, library and picnic facilities. In addition, there is a Federal Mansion dating to 1814 and a early stone house with a family cemetery off-site. Guided tours are available from the Visitors Center (located in the DuBois Fort), May - October, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4p.m. Groups by appointment.Operated by the Huguenot Historical Society. 18 Broadhead Avenue, New Paltz, NY 12561. (845) 255-1660. Visit the Huguenot Historical Society website.

John Jay Homestead

This Federal-style farmhouse was the home of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and one of New York's governors. It's present appearance dates back to 1801 and features decorative arts and furnishings of five generations of the Jay family. The Homestead offers lectures, concerts, tours and rotating exhibits. Admission fee. Route 22, Katonah, N.Y. (914) 232-5651. Visit the John Jay Homestead website.

Klyne Esopus Historical Society Museum

The Klyne Esopus Historical Society Museum is the official local history museum of the Township of Esopus in Ulster County. Housed in an 1827 Old Dutch Church, it has a collection of permanent exhibits covering the history of the town from about 10,000 BC to the present. Each season, KEHSM also provides special exhibits focusing on particular subjects. Associated with the museum is a sizeable genealogical/historical library covering the town and much of Ulster County. Admission is free but donations are accepted. 764 Route 9W, Ulster Park, N.Y. (845) 338-8109. Visit the Klyne Esopus Historical Society Museum website.

Mid-Hudson Children's Museum

Over 50 hands-on activity stations, including Scholastic's The Magic School Bus, interactive video screen, freeze frame, imagine-nation, IBM's working models of Leonardo da Vinci inventions, mural depicting people, places and products of the Hudson River Valley, Texaco's science sampler, art activity center, interactive banking, health center, puppet theater and geography. Also, workshops, performances, educational group tours, playgroups, birthday parties. Admission fee. Located in South Hills Mall (between Kmart and the food court), 838 South Road (Rt. 9), Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601. (845) 297-5938. Visit the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum website.

Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site

A military museum is located on the site of the Americans' raid on the former British stronghold by Brigadier General Anthony Wayne on July 16, 1779. It features Revolutionary War equipment and artifacts as well as an 1826 lighthouse, an outdoor walking tour and picnic areas. Admission is free. Route 9W, Stony Point, N.Y. (845) 786-2521. Visit the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site website.

Thomas Cole’s Cedar Grove

The 1815 Cedar Grove home and studio of Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School of Painting, is found in Catskill, N.Y. Paintings relating to the development of the Hudson River School are displayed as well as some of Cole's own works on loan. The museum features changing exhibits of the works of 19th century American artists and is open July through Labor Day, 11 to 4 Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 on Sunday. Hours also are available by appointment from Labor Day through June. No admission charge. 218 Spring St., Catskill, N.Y. (518) 943-6533. Visit the Thomas Cole’s Cedar Grove website.

Union Church of Pocantico Hills

Works of Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse, two modern-day masters, are featured in the spectacular stained glass windows at this beautiful stone church. Route 448 off of Route 9, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. (914) 631-8200. Visit the Union Church of Pocantico Hills website.

Van Wyck Homestead Museum

This 1732 home of the Van Wyck family, Dutch settlers to the area, is located at the site of the headquarters for the supply depot for General Washington's army from 1776 through 1783. It houses artifacts of the early Dutch settlers, Revolutionary War items, archeology finds, archives and farming items. Guided tours, lectures and an education program for children and adults are offered as well as a summer archeology research program and an annual Dutch spring weekend in May. Admission fee. Route 9, Fishkill, N.Y. (845) 896-9560. Visit the Van Wyck Homestead Museum website.

Washington's Headquarters

Washington Headquarters State Historic Site: in Newburgh is the former home of Jonathan Hasbrouck, used by General George Washington as his headquarters at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1782 and 1783. It features period furnishings, firearms, documents and military artifacts of the war, items relating to the region, portraits of George and Martha Washington as well as an exhibit depicting the Americans' defense of the Highlands from the British. Guided tours, lectures, films, concerts, special programs and demonstrations all are offered. Admission fee. 84 Liberty St., Newburgh, N.Y. (845) 562-1195. Visit the Washington Headquarters State Historic website.

West Point & the West Point Museum

The United States Military Academy at West Point is open daily to the public. The nation's oldest service academy, graduates include Grant, Lee, Pershing, MacArthur, Eisenhower and Schwarzkopf. The West Point Museum and visitors center/gift shop are two of the many attractions on this beautiful campus. The restored Fort Putnam, used by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, is found on the campus grounds. Visitors to the museum, open from 10:30 to 4:15 p.m., will see a history of military events and personalities, a collection of weapons, artifacts, paintings, American and European uniforms and much, much more. Guided bus tours are comfortable, convenient and offer the first-time visitor a wealth of military and historic facts and trivia, while making stops at some of the campus' most famous spots. Trophy Point offers a spectacular Hudson River view, and is home to some of the links of the Great Chain, strung across the river during the Revolutionary War to keep the British from advancing further north on the Hudson. Highland Falls, N.Y. (845) 938-3590. Visit West Point and the West Point Museum.

Constitution Island

Located off of West Point, Constitution Island features the 1800 Victorian home of writers Susan and Anna Warner and is the site of Revolutionary War fort ruins. The home contains Warner family collections, period furniture, art, china and glass. Admission fee. Highland Falls, N.Y. (845) 446-8676. Visit Constitution Island.