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Clinton House (Poughkeepsie)
Encyclopedia
The Clinton House is an 18th-century Georgian
stone building in the town of Poughkeepsie
, Dutchess County
, USA, listed in the National Register of Historic Places
as a historic place of local significance since 1982. It is a New York State Historic Site. The house was named for George Clinton
, who served as the first Governor of New York
and fourth Vice-President of the United States. He was believed to have lived there after the American Revolutionary War
, but it is now known that it was never his residence.
The house probably served as a meeting place for legislators during the time Poughkeepsie was capital of New York in 1777.
Clinton House was built around 1765 by Hugh van Kleeck (born about 1745, died after 1810) who owned about 20 hectare
s of land south of Main Street where the house stands. In 1780, the house came into the possession of Udney Hay, who belonged to Quartermaster Corp of the Continental Army
. When his house was damaged by fire, Hay petitioned George Washington
for craftsmen to assist in its repair. However, Hay lost the house in 1786 when it was seized for debt.
In 1900, the house had fallen into disrepair and it was purchased by the Daughters of the American Revolution
, who presented it to the then Governor of New York
Theodore Roosevelt
for the citizens of the State of New York.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1982.
Today, the Clinton house is used for the offices and library of the Dutchess County Historical Society, with one room still set aside for use by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
stone building in the town of Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
, Dutchess County
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
, USA, listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as a historic place of local significance since 1982. It is a New York State Historic Site. The house was named for George Clinton
George Clinton (vice president)
George Clinton was an American soldier and politician, considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was the first Governor of New York, and then the fourth Vice President of the United States , serving under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He and John C...
, who served as the first Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
and fourth Vice-President of the United States. He was believed to have lived there after the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, but it is now known that it was never his residence.
The house probably served as a meeting place for legislators during the time Poughkeepsie was capital of New York in 1777.
Clinton House was built around 1765 by Hugh van Kleeck (born about 1745, died after 1810) who owned about 20 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s of land south of Main Street where the house stands. In 1780, the house came into the possession of Udney Hay, who belonged to Quartermaster Corp of the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
. When his house was damaged by fire, Hay petitioned George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
for craftsmen to assist in its repair. However, Hay lost the house in 1786 when it was seized for debt.
In 1900, the house had fallen into disrepair and it was purchased by the Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
, who presented it to the then Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
for the citizens of the State of New York.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1982.
Today, the Clinton house is used for the offices and library of the Dutchess County Historical Society, with one room still set aside for use by the Daughters of the American Revolution.