Westchester Towns | ||
Westchester CountyHistoric Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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All Bedford Village Listings
Bedford Village Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Bedford Historic Courthouse c1787 | 914-234-9751 | |
The Bedford Historic Courthouse c1787 is located in Bedford Village. The Court House is the oldest Westchester County Government Building and one of only three Court Houses in New York State built before 1800. It is Bedford's historic landmark of the days from 1788 to 1870 when Bedford was a county seat more populous than White Plains. The Court House was restored once in 1889 and again between 1965 and 1970 when its Court Room was returned to its original dignity. The Bedford Museum is housed on the second floor. The Town owns the building and the Historical Society maintains the interior and operates the museums that are open to the public from May to October. Press blue button for the Bedford Historical Society and more historic properties. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Historic General Store c1838 | 914-234-9751 | |
The General Store c1838 is located in Bedford Village. Country store, post office and for many years an antique shop, this small building stood originally on Pound Ridge Road. It was moved to its current site next to the Old Burying Ground in 1890. Purchased by the Bedford Historical Society in 1968, it is currently leased to Travel Trends and G. Henschel, Architects. Press blue button for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Historic Hall c1806 | 914-234-9751 | |
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to enlarge photo of Bedford Historic Hall.
Bedford Historic Hall is located in Bedford Village. Bedford Historic Hall was moved to its present site in 1837 by twenty yoke of oxen. Historical Hall was the impetus for the founding of the Bedford Historical Society. In 1916, a group of citizens purchased the building to preserve it and prevent it from being turned into a tenement. It has been improved and maintained by the Society ever since and is used for private parties, meetings and exhibitions. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Historic Library c1807 | 914-234-9751 | |
The Bedford Historic Library c1807 is located in Bedford Village. Until 1902, this was the Bedford Academy, one of Westchester's first classical schools. The Corporation of Bedford Academy gave the building to the Historical Society in 1972. It is currently leased for $1 a year to the Bedford Free Library who is responsible for its maintenance. Press blue button for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Historic Lounsbery Building c1906 | 914-234-9751 | |
The Lounsbery Building c1906 is located in Bedford Village. Also of Greek Revival style, the store adjoining the Post Office was put up by Richard P. Lounsbery to replace a nearby one that had been burned down. It was the village A & P for many years. In 1972, it was purchased by the Society who maintains its offices on the second floor. The ground floor is currently leased to the Horse Connection. Press blue button for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Historic School House c1829 | 914-234-9751 | |
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to enlarge photo of Old School House in Bedford Village.
The School House c1829 is located in Bedford Village. This small stone building on the Green, often called the Stone Jug, was the village school from 1829 to 1912. From 1913 to 1969 it housed the Bedford Museum which was moved to the second floor of the renovated Court House. The School House was then restored to its original use as a 19th century one-room school. It is open to the public from May to October. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Historical Society | 914-234-9751 | |
The Bedford Historical Society is a non-profit, educational institution committed to preserving our historic Town and original Village Green, to educating students of all ages in Bedford's unique history and to interpreting our collections for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. website and more . . . | ||
Bedford Sutton Clock Tower | 914-234-9751 | |
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to enlarge photo of Sutton Clock Tower.
At the comer of Guard Hill and Succabone Roads stands a tall, handsome brick tower which is a landmark and a source of joy and some amusement to the townspeople. This is the famous Sutton Clock Tower, and this is the story behind it. website and more . . . |
All Hastings-on-Hudson Listings
Hastings-on-Hudson Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Cropsey Home and Studio | 914-478-7990 | |
Cropsey Home and Studio, a Gothic Revival-style villa overlooking the Palisades, is located at 49 Washington Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 in southern Westchester County.
From Cropsey Home: "The Newington-Cropsey Foundation was founded in 1977 for the purpose of preserving and displaying the home and paintings of Jasper F. Cropsey (1823-1900), Hudson River School artist. The Cropsey home, Ever Rest, has been on the National Register of Historic Homes since the early 1970's. In 1994, the Gallery of Art was completed, enabling the foundation to display more of the permanent collection of Cropsey's paintings, in addition to providing exhibition space for temporary and traveling exhibits. The new building also houses the archives of Cropsey's writings and papers as well as a small research library. website and more . . . |
All City of New Rochelle Listings
City of New Rochelle Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Thomas Paine National Historical Association | 914-434-7270 | |
Thomas Paine National Historical Association is located at 983 North Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10804. "The Thomas Paine National Historical Association, founded January 29, 1884 in New York City, is among the oldest historical associations in the United States. Our mission, to educate the world about the life, times and works of Thomas Paine, is designed to ensure Paine's rightful place in history as the preeminent founder of the United States of America. He was, in fact, the first person to coin this phrase. In the course of his lifetime, Paine was an outstanding political and social influence upon the entire world." website and more . . . |
All Pocantico Hills Listings
Pocantico Hills Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Union Church of Pocantico Hills "Historic Site" | 914-631-8200 | |
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to enlarge photo of Union Church in Pocantico.
The Union Church of Pocantico Hills features stained glass windows created by two modern masters: Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Marc Chagall (1887-1985). Commissioned as memorials by members of the Rockefeller family whose estate, Kykuit, is nearby, the windows include the final work of Matisse, completed just two days before his death, and the only cycle of church windows created by Chagall in the United States. website and more . . . |
All Pound Ridge Listings
Pound Ridge Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Pound Ridge Historical Society | 914-764-4333 | |
The Pound Ridge Historical Society is located at 255 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, NY 10576 in Westchester County.
"The purpose of this Society shall be to bring together those people interested in history and especially the history of Pound Ridge and environs. Understanding the history of our community is basic to our democratic way of life, gives us a better understanding of our state and nation, and promotes a better appreciation of our American heritage." website and more . . . |
All Sleepy Hollow Listings
Sleepy Hollow Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Old Dutch Church at Sleepy Hollow "Historic Site" | 914-631-0081 | |
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to enlarge photo of the Old Dutch Church at Sleepy Hollow.
The Old Dutch Church "It stands on a knoll, surrounded by locust-trees and lofty elms, from among which its decent whitewashed walls shine modestly forth, like Christian purity beaming through the shades of retirement. A gentle slope descends from it to a silver sheet of water, bordered by high trees, between which, peeps may be caught at the blue hills of the Hudson." Washington Irving in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." website and more . . . | ||
Washington Irving's Gravestone | ||
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to enlarge photo of the Gravestone of Washington Irving.
Visit the grave of Washington Irving, buried at Sleepy Hollow cemetery, on December 1, 1859. Irving is considered by many to be the first internationally acclaimed author. Irving advocated for writing as a legitimate and respected profession, and successfully campaigned for copyright laws to protect American writers from copyright infringement. The gravestone reads: WASHINGTON IRVING, BORN April 3, 1783, DIED Nov. 28, 1859 more . . . |
All Tarrytown Listings
Tarrytown Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Castle Hotel and Spa | 914-631-1980 | |
Castle Hotel & Spa is located at 400 Benedict Ave., Tarrytown, NY 10591 in Westchester County.
From Castle Hotel: "Only thirty minutes north of Manhattan, Castle Hotel & Spa sits majestically atop one of the highest points in Westchester County overlooking the Hudson River amid sprawling acres of manicured gardens and grounds. With over 100 years of history, the Castle is undoubtedly a sumptuous escape to the enchanted era of America’s Gilded Age. The Castle’s luxurious guestrooms, suites with wood-burning fireplaces and lavish amenities, continue to be a favorite among dignitaries and celebrities. website and more . . . |
All City of White Plains Listings
City of White Plains Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Jacob Purdy House - Historic Site | 914-422-1336 | |
The Jacob Purdy House, a historic site, is located at 60 Park Ave, White Plains, NY 10601 in Westchester County.
From It Happened In Old White Plains by Renoda Hoffman : "The Purdy House was built by Samuel Horton, an early settler, who remained in possession until after 1730, when Samuel Purdy purchased the house and 132 acres. Title see-sawed from Samuel to his son, Jacob, then back to Samuel, and finally to Jacob about 1785. One explanation might be because two of Samuel's five sons became Loyalists and fled to Canada. Jacob held title until his own death in 1822. more . . . | ||
Monument at White Plains Armory - Historic Site | ||
Monument at White Plains Armory, an historic site, is located at 35 South Broadway, White Plains, NY in Westchester County.
From: It Happened In Old White Plains by Renoda Hofman "The cornerstone of the armory was laid on March 31st, 1909. The main speaker of the day was Senator J. Mayhew Wainwright. A member of the family, General Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, would later gain fame as a hero of Corregidor during World War II. The president of the Village Board of Trustees, Frederick S. Barnum, introduced the senator. more . . . | ||
Percy Grainger Home and Studio - Historic Site | ||
Percy Grainger Home and Studio, listed at the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 7 Cromwell Place, White Plains, NY 10601 in Westchester County.
Source: PercyGrainger.org: "Percy Grainger is known as much for his personal oddness as for his music, which itself encompassed much that was original and strange. In his house at 7 Cromwell Place in White Plains, New York, the visitor can experience evidence of his enthusiasms. website and more . . . | ||
Sisters of the Divine Compassion - Historic Site | 914-798-1300 | |
The Chapel of the Divine Compassion, a historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 52 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603 in Westchester County.
From: The Examiner by Pat Casey: "The Chapel of the Divine Compassion built of stone and designed in a Celtic fashion, houses the founders of the religious order Mary Dannat Starr (later Mother Mary Veronica) and Monsignor Thomas Preston, who are buried in the chapel crypt along with past leaders of the order. more . . . |
More Hudson Valley Historic Sites | Historic Hudson Valley |
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Albany County [7 listings over 2 locations]
Columbia County [3 listings over 3 locations]
Dutchess County [15 listings over 6 locations]
Greene County [2 listings over 2 locations]
Orange County [20 listings over 12 locations]
Putnam County [7 listings over 3 locations]
Rensselaer County [2 listings over 2 locations]
Rockland County [6 listings over 4 locations]
Saratoga County [1 listing over 1 location]
Ulster County [12 listings over 6 locations]
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The Historic Hudson Valley has been designated a National Heritage Area extending from Albany in the upper-Hudson Valley to New York City, just south of Westchester County in the lower-Hudson Valley. This area contains a rich collection of nationally significant cultural and historical sites that are set against the beautiful landscapes of the valley. The period from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War is well represented. Westchester County Historic Sites Historic sites include buildings such as the Bedford Historic Courthouse c1787, General Store c1838, Bedford Historic Hall in the Bedford Village Historic District. Or visit great homes and estates including: Van Cortlandt Manor, Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Kykuit, home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, and Philipsburg Manor, a historic site of great historical importance. Once the headquarters of a large Hudson Valley manor, the site vividly interprets aspects of the history of colonial New York and the system of racially-based slavery. The Historic Hudson Valley abounds with the history of a new nation. Visit historic sites where much of American history was born. See historic homes and estates. Experience history as it was lived in the homes of presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and leaders of industry. Go back in time to the American Revolutionary War and walk the battlegrounds that American patriots walked and fought for during the American Revolution. Plan an educational vacation in the Hudson Valley. Find many fun things to do while experiencing history in the Hudson Valley. Plan the best vacation in the Historic Hudson Valley. Fill your days with history, natural beauty, and art as interpreted and painted by the Hudson River School of Artists. Relax in the breathtaking landscapes that are part of the inherent beauty of the valley. The Historic Hudson Valley, comprised of ten counties, is generally referenced as three geographic areas: the lower-Hudson Valley, mid-Hudson Valley, and upper-Hudson Valley. These counties all bank the Hudson River on either the east or west side of the river. The Hudson River runs through five counties to the east and five counties to the west of the river, as seen in this Hudson River Valley Map. The lower-Hudson Valley is comprised of Westchester County on the east side of the Hudson River and Rockland County on the west side. Learn about the history of the lower-Hudson Valley in Westchester and Rockland counties by visiting the magnificent estates, collections, and landscapes of prominent and influential Americans. Visit historic sites from Yonkers in southern Westchester County to Peekskill in northern Westchester, and the historic villages in-between. Find the best attractions, offering things to do for the whole family, with many sites offering fun activities for kids. Learn about the War of Independence by visiting sites and battlegrounds of the revolution. Although Westchester was considered "neutral ground", many clashes took place as loyalists to Britain fought American patriots. Discover more about the American Revolution in Westchester. Westchester County Historic Sites include
Yonkers in southern Westchester County is home to Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site . Philipse Manor Hall serves as a museum of history, art, and architecture. Things of interest include a collection of presidential portraits, 18th century high style Georgian architecture, and a 1750s papier-mâché Rococo ceiling. Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site is located in Mount Vernon, NY 10550 in Westchester County. "A large undertaking for a relatively small town, the church was not complete when the political and military disruption of the American Revolution rocked the area, halting construction. On the eve of the war, most of the exterior was in place, and the tower had been erected about 2/3 of the way to the present steeple, but the interior was little more than a dirt floor. The community was still worshipping in the wooden meetinghouse. Yet, even in its unfinished form, the church was the largest, best built, centrally located building in the vicinity and since it was unlocked and unused during the War for American Independence, it became the obvious location for a field hospital during local campaigns. It was used by the American, British and Hessian armies. The need for firewood as fuel by those forces led to the complete disassembling of the older meetinghouse by the war’s conclusion." Kykuit Historic Site Visit the magnificent estate of Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow, home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil whose business skills and instincts made him, in his day, the richest man in America. Learn the fascinating history of the Rockefeller Family as you imagine having dinner in the dining room of the home. Old Dutch Church Visit the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow. "It stands on a knoll, surrounded by locust-trees and lofty elms, from among which its decent whitewashed walls shine modestly forth, like Christian purity beaming through the shades of retirement. A gentle slope descends from it to a silver sheet of water, bordered by high trees, between which, peeps may be caught at the blue hills of the Hudson." by Washington Irving in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Lyndhurst Historic Site Visit Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, overlooking the Hudson River. Lyndhurst is considered one of America's finest Gothic Revival mansions. Leaders of industry and families of wealth that lived at Lyndhurst include: former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Each of these men changed the estate to reflect their own tastes and the changed tastes of the day in wealthy New York. Washington Irving's Sunnyside Just a short walk down the road from Lyndhurst is Washington Irving's Sunnyside, a modest home in comparison to Lyndhurst. Washington Irving, considered by many to be the first "International Writer" lived the last 25 years of his life at Sunnyside, his home set along the Hudson River. Philipsburg Manor Historic SiteDuring your visit to Sleepy Hollow, be sure to spend a few hours at Philipsburg Manor, a place of great historical importance. Once the headquarters of a large Hudson Valley manor, the site vividly interprets aspects of the history of colonial New York and the system of racially-based slavery which helped keep the estate running in the 18th century. Hudson Valley Parks and Picnics Enjoy a picnic on the grounds of a historic site in the Hudson Valley. Picnic tables are available at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow and Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson. Or, you can use the picnic tables on the grounds of Sunnyside, home of the first international writer, Washington Irving, one of the three writers known as the Knickerbocker Group. This group was comprised of Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and William Cullen Bryant, American pioneers in the literary fields of general literature, novels, and poetry and journalism. The Historic Hudson Valley is flush with beautiful parks and magnificent scenic opportunities, almost all parks offer picnic tables, some with views over the Hudson River. Find a park that is conveniently located and have a Picnic in the park. Plan a Manhattan-getaway, or plan a two-week vacation exploring history in the Hudson Valley. Take a leap back in time and visit the Historic Hudson Valley where you can place yourself in the homes and estates of presidents such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and titans of industry such as John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan, all contributing to the development and growth of America in one way or another. Plan a vacation filled with history. Visit the Historic Hudson Valley of New York. Learn about the American Revolution, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the beginning of a new nation. Visitors of all ages can explore and delight in the story of the birth of the United States as they tour historic places of interest. Listen to the history and stories of leaders of commerce, such as John D. Rockefeller, who made their fortune and later became equally distinguished as a philanthropist. Visit the grand estates that were part of the "Gilded Age" in America. Walk the halls and grounds in the estates of leading historic figures in government, of industry, art and architecture; all playing their part in the historic development of this United States of America. |