Clermont — This estate is often overlooked by visitors to the Hudson Valley, and that’s a shame. This was home to seven generations of the Livingston family, who were important founders of the United States. Livingstons helped draft, write and sign the Declaration of Independence. Robert Livingston was Thomas Jefferson’s minister to France, and negotiated the Louisiana Purchase. He also helped a young inventor named Robert Fulton develop his steamship, which became the first working steamship on the Hudson River. If you remember your sixth grade history, that ship was known as the Clermont. The house is filled with mementoes and historic documents. I found one written to Livingston by Napoleon. Clermont is in Germantown, and sits on 500 acres overlooking the Hudson River.
Olana, the Hudson Valley estate near Rhinebeck where artist Frederic Church lived, open for tours
Olana — Frederic Church was the most famous artist of his time, which was the mid 1800s. Construction of this Moorish-Persian home took 20 years, and Church made sure every inch was decorated as beautifully as one of his paintings. There is a two-story dining room filled with 17-century paintings, and lush fabrics are everywhere. Tours are limited to 12 people at a time — no children allowed — so get there early in the day before the tickets are sold out. Once you have a ticket, you can wander the lush grounds, which have beautiful views of the Hudson River all the way south to West Point. Those are the same views that inspired Church to paint lush, romantic landscapes.
And right in Rhinebeck itself is the Wilderstein Mansion, where cousins of the Roosevelts lived.
Yes, the Chelsea Clinton wedding to longtime beau Mark Mexvinsky made history. But, so did many others who have visited and lived in the Hudson Valley.
(c) posted by Evelyn Kanter, author of “Great Destinations: The Hudson Valley” and “Eating the Hudson Valley: Food Lover’s Guide to Local Dininig, Wineries & More”, both books published by WWNorton/CountrymanPress
I really liked this post. You explain this topic very well. Bed & Breakfast’s are wonderful places to stay when taking a trip. I really like how the rooms quaintly furnished with antiques & quilts, each offering their own distinctive charm. Common areas at Inn’s are great places to relax and visit with fellow guests.
There is a great place to visit. I recently got a great deal for my new home
It’s about time Chelsea got married! Nice write up, it absolutely was extremely crazy that people believed she has been previously wedded last August inside Martha’s Vinyard. I simply just can’t believe they are shelling out a million on the wedding ceremony through the financial times we’re having, I wager lots of people are certainly not very happy with that!