Montgomery Place - Rhinebeck, NY - Early 19th Century Estate

Located near Rhinebeck, New York, Montgomery Place is an early 19th century estate. Montgomery Place is the only estate house from this era in the Hudson Valley that is still intact. Montgomery House is a Federal-style house, and it has an expansion that was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. Montgomery Place is the only surviving neoclassical country house designed by Davis.

The estate's land was originally purchased in 1802 by Janet Livingston Montgomery. She named the house that was built there Chateau de Montgomery. The name was intended to honor her late husband, General Richard Montgomery who was one of the first heroes of the American Revolution. He died in battle. Upon the death of Janet Livingston Montgomery, Edward Livingston, her brother, inherited the property. In 1921, the estate was inherited by a Livingston descendant named General John Ross Delafield.

Montgomery Place consists of roughly 380 acres of land. It is a riverfront estate, and it has scenic walking trails, rose gardens, herb gardens, orchards, and stately woods. Violetta White Delafield is responsible for the terraced landscaping on the west side of the estate. Delafield was a talented botanist that lived from 1875 to 1949, and she was interested in horticulture. She also created a series of garden rooms for roses, perennials, and herbs, and she also contributed to many of the other landscaping features seen at the estate.

The Delafield family made many additions to the estate. They added a greenhouse, a squash court, a clay tennis court, and a hydroelectric generator. In addition, they made improvements to the orchards and restored many the 19th century woodland walks.

In 1975, Montgomery Place was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1986, Delafield descendants gave Montgomery Place to Sleepy Hollow Restorations in order to ensure that the estate was preserved. Sleepy Hollow Restorations is now known as Historic Hudson Valley. The estate was then opened to the public in 1988.

Montgomery Place is furnished with several items from the Livingston family and also contains memorabilia with Livingston connections. Vistas of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River can be seen from the terrace or from the north pavilion. The woodland trails feature views of the forest, which is made up of mixed hardwood and hemlock. These trails lead to the waterfalls of the Saw Kill.

Not only can guests visit the orchard, but, in season, fruit from the orchard can be purchased at the Montgomery Place Orchards Farm Stand. Montgomery Place is available for a variety of events and photography sessions. School programs and adult groups can also schedule group visits.

The estate grounds are open daily from 9:00am to 4:00pm from January through December. There is no charge for admission to the grounds. Tours of the grounds and the house are available from 11:00am to 4:00pm (with the last tour beginning at 3:00pm) Thursday through Sunday from mid-May through the end of October. The tour of the house usually lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets for the tour are $10 per person. Children under 5 years of age can tour for free.

Additional information about the Montgomery Place can be obtained by calling 845-758-5461 or 914-631-8200.