Things to do / Travel Guide
The old settlements along the Hudson River, the remnants of the Hudson River School's influence, and the remnants of the old Catskills resorts, constitute the region's historical draws. A great part of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley charm is the perpetual feeling what once was. The history of this region is both a celebration of great events, landmark battles, and influential leaders; and of the average American in times past: where he and she lived, and where they went for leisurely excursions.
Sleepy Hollow
In Sleepy Hollow, once known as North Tarrytown, you'll find Washington Irving's old house, Sunnyside. Apart from being a glorious old residence, the visitor is offered a satisfying taste of the author's life and times. His old furniture and belongings decorate the house, which can be visited from April-December, Monday-Wednesday.
Also in Sleepy Hollow are two cemeteries, one old and one practically ancient. The practically ancient one was used by the land's Dutch inhabitants in the 17th century, and the legend went that a headless Hessian horseman haunted the premises. Sound familiar? It was actually the premise of Irving's “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Some people search for inspiration with music and atmosphere; Irving went to the Dutch burial grounds and copied names etched into the gravestones, using them as characters in his story.
The other cemetery in the immediate area, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, is the actual burial place of Washington Irving, as well as that of industrial titans like William Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. The church associated with these two cemeteries is the Old Dutch Church. Founded in 1685, this is reputed to be the oldest church in New York State in continuous use. It's open for tours by appointment only. The cemeteries and the church are located at the corner of Broadway and Pierson Street.
Also in Sleepy Hollow, Philipsburg Manor is a mansion of an older stock, reconstructed to the appearance of 17th- and 18th-century models. This is one of those living museums, where the guides are professionally-trained actors and wear costumes. The Philipse family ran a slave trade, one of the most enduring of its kind in the north. The cubic and rather plain manor is bristling with historical artifacts, and outside you can visit the mill and the slave headquarters. The manor is located on U.S. Highway 9, slightly north of Tarrytown.
West Point
West Point's significance as a military position was first recognized by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. A huge chain was hooked from one side of the Hudson River, at West Point, to the other, thus obstructing all British nautical movement up and down the river. The fort was made a military academy during Thomas Jefferson's presidency, in 1802. Since then, West Point's infrastructure has been the domain of the Academy's cadets. A museum is open on site, displaying the military artifacts connected to the fort and the Academy; there is a vast range of old historic buildings and notable places. Tours run daily, though more-so from spring-fall.
George Washington's Headquarters
George Washington's Headquarters is located near Newburgh, overlooking the Hudson River. This is where he waited out the last six months of the war in 1782-83, until issuing his “cessation of hostilities” on April 19th. Nearby is the 53-foot Tower of Victory, erected in 1883 to celebrate the centennial of the War's end. The historical site, featuring exhibits and films, is open from April-October, Wednesday-Saturday.
Springwood and Val-Kill
The residence on the Hudson River called Springwood is where former President Franklin D. Roosevelt was born, grew up, lived much of his adult life, and visited often while he was in office. Springwood was bought by FDR's father, James, in 1866; thereafter he spruced it up, added wings, and so forth. Franklin and his wife, Eleanor, added a new wing themselves as late as 1915. Much of the estate's furniture is authentic, including the personal items. The house served in the past as accommodation for Heads of State and royalty, such as Winston Churchill and King George VI of the United Kingdom - the autographs of many famous personalities are on display in the Music Room.
The cottage at Val-Kill, a short ways from Springwood, was built for Eleanor at her husband's behest as a place for her and her friends to spend time together and pursue their interests in politics and social activism. Val-Kill underwent several reincarnations after Eleanor's death before it ended up becoming an attraction dedicated to her and her work; therefore, the refurbishments are not as authentic as those which exist at Springwood. Nevertheless, the cottage and the surroundings serve as an interesting window into the life and times of this most illustrious of first ladies.
Historical Attractions in Hudson, New York
Hudson was one of the biggest whaling ports in the state in the early-19th century, then it transformed itself for a few decades into a booming industrial center. After a period at low ebb, the town these days is in the midst of gentrification, but is also a tourist haven on account of its history. At the heart of Hudson is Warren Street, which, through fate, has survived since the 18th century with many of its brick houses and buildings intact. Two points of interest there are the Robert Jenkins House, home of an early mayor of the town by that name, and the Opera House, one of the oldest such in the state of New York.
For an excellent immersion into the life, times, and work of the Hudson River School of landscape painting, which flourished in the middle decades of the 19th century, visit Olana, located five miles south of the town of Hudson on the Hudson River. This was Frederick Edwin Church's creation, its Persian style lifted from his travel notebooks from the Middle East. Church was at the forefront of the School, and he made Olana a center for all adherents of the Hudson River School.
Historical Attractions in Poughkeepsie
The main historical draw of Poughkeepsie is an entertainment center, the Bardovan 1869 Opera House. This is New York State's oldest historic theater, though it was almost demolished in 1976 to make way for an urban renewal project.
Two other historical buildings in Poughkeepsie are the Clinton House and the Glebe House, at Main Street and North Street, respectively. They're famous for having been, in 1777, the site of the New York State government.
Historical Attractions in Kingston
Kingston is the third-oldest Dutch settlement in New York, after New York City and Albany. The city's historical center is the Stockade; the actual stockade, a tall wall of pointed upright timbers, was built in 1658 to keep hostile American Indians out. It was already torn down by the early-1700s, but the city center nevertheless retained the name and most of the important city functions tended towards the area.
Sites to see in Kingston include the Ulster County Courthouse and the Old Dutch Church. The former was built in 1818, and in its docks Sojourner Truth won freedom from slavery in Alabama for herself and her son. It was the first such case won in the U.S. Later in the century, 1852, the Old Dutch Church was built, a Renaissance Revival-style edifice with a looming steeple and a vaulted ceiling.
Historical Sites in Woodstock, Cooperstown, New Paltz, Catskills and Hudson Valley
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