Clermont State Historic Site

This 502 acre-site once owned by Robert Livingston, Jr., consists of a restored mansion, four gardens, five miles of hiking trails, and a great lawn for picnics. Clermont State Historic Site was the country seat of the Livingston family. Originally a Georgian Mansion, over the years the house was added onto to give it its present appearance. Seven generations of Livingstons as well as dozens of enslaved people and paid servants lived at Clermont. The land surrounding the house was occupied by tenant farmers, beholden to the Livingstons, the farms of small freeholders, and mills. For the first few generations, Livingston owned ships full of paid sailors plied the river between Clermont, New York City and Albany. Over time, through land sales and the division of land through gifts and inheritance Clermont's land shrunk until it was just the confines of the present historic site. With this contraction of land came a contraction of power and influence for the family. Today Clermont is decorated as it appeared circa 1930 when it was home to Alice Delafield Clarkson Livingston, her daughters Honoria and Janet, and their staff of servants. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Clermont is also an anchor of the Hudson River National Landmark District. The trails are relatively flat and offer spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. Tours of the site are available.

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