|
Clinton House was built around 1765 by Hugh Van Kleeck. VanKleeck already owned about fifty acres on the south side of Main Street. The Clinton House is a State owned historic resource named to honor George Clinton, the first governor of the State of New York and former Vice-President of the United States. It is operated by DCHS under an agreement with NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Although Clinton did not reside here, the house was probably used during the period Poughkeepsie was Capital of New York as a meeting place for legislators for discussion and debate.
In 1780, Udney Hay took possession of the house. He was part of the Quartermaster Corp of Washington’s troops. During his residency, a house fire damaged the house and Hay petitioned Washington to send craftsmen to assist in repairing and adding to the house. Hay remained there until 1786 when the house was seized for debt.
In 1900, the Daughters of the American Revolution purchased the house to save it from falling into ruin. They presented the house to Theodore Roosevelt for the citizens of the State of New York with the proviso that they could continue to meet in the house. To this day, there is a room set aside for the DAR.
DCHS maintains its offices, the Franklin Butts Library and collections storage space in the house.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10am to 3pm
Print, 20th century Poughkeepsie artist Tom Barrett
