8 Can’t Miss Hudson Valley Historic Sites to Tour This Summer

Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI) is excited to welcome the public to experience the beautiful grounds of Dutchess County’s historic estates during the Great Estates Garden & Landscape Weekends, scheduled for June 15-16 and August 3-4, 2024. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the picturesque landscapes surrounding grand homes along the Hudson River through outdoor guided and self-guided tours. Additionally, special events and activities will be held, including a macramé workshop at Staatsburgh State Historic Site and a Fairy House Hunt among blooming flowers and trees at Locust Grove Estate.

Great Estates Weekend Kicks Off in Dutchess County, New York

At Mount Gulian Historic Site, visitors will explore the origins and the evolution of the garden and learn about its notable gardeners, including James F. Brown, an enslaved man who later became the master gardener, and Virginia Eliza Darby Verplanck, whose literary contributions include two gardening books from the early 20th century: “Every Day in My Garden” and “A Year in My Garden.”

Innisfree Garden, with its Asian-inspired landscape, will host a family-friendly nature walk. The garden was recognized in Rory Stuart’s “What Are Gardens For?: Experiencing, Making and Thinking About Gardens” as one of the “world’s best gardens.”

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“Our Great Estates Garden & Landscape Weekends, along with the Path Through History Weekend, offer unique opportunities to connect with the rich heritage and stunning natural beauty of Dutchess County,” said Melaine Rottkamp, president & CEO of Dutchess Tourism, Inc. “These events provide visitors and residents alike with a chance to explore our historic estates, participate in engaging activities, and gain a deeper appreciation for the region's cultural and historical significance.”

Great Estates Garden & Landscape Weekend Locations:

With Great Estates Weekend lining up with Father's Day Weekend, you just may be able to kill two birds with one stone! Celebrate Dad by taking him to see some of the most historically important sites and most breathtaking views in the Hudson Valley! Even if you can't make it out this weekend, this Hudson Valley historic sites offer programs all throughout the summer, and are perfect experiences for friends, family, dates, and more!

1) Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown

• Self-guided tours on Saturday, Aug. 12, and Sunday, Aug. 13

2) Innisfree Garden, Millbrook

• Looking at Nature: All Ages Nature Walk on June 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Curator’s Tour: Father’s Day and New York State Path through History Weekend on June 16 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

3) Locust Grove Estate, Poughkeepsie

• Fairy House Hunt on June 15 and 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

4) Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon

• Garden Tours on June 15 and 16 and Aug. 3 and 4 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

5) Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park

• Self-Guided Tours of Roosevelt Home Garden & Beatrix Farrand Garden all weekend.
• Bellefield Garden Talk: Bee and Pollinator Ecology on the Hudson on Saturday, June 15, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Hosted by the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association.
• Greeters in the Garden on Sunday, June 16, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Hosted by the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association.
• Digital Garden Tour with the National Park Service app. Park grounds and gardens are available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily. Download free through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

6) Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg

• Macramé Workshop on Staatsburgh’s portico on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2:00 p.m.
• Self-Guided Tours of Staatsburgh’s grounds all weekend.

7) Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park

• A Timeless Tapestry: Nature, Culture, and History at a Grand Estate, June 15 and 16 and Aug. 3 and 4, 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Digital Garden Tour with the National Park Service app. Park grounds and gardens are available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily. Download free through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

8) Wilderstein Historic Site, Rhinebeck

• Garden and Landscape Tour on Saturday, June 15, and Saturday, Aug. 3, at 10:00 a.m.

For a full listing of events, visit www.dutchesstourism.com/greatestatesgardens. Advance registration is required for many activities and there are admission fees for some events.

June 15-16 is also Path Through History Weekend in New York State. Visitors are encouraged to explore Dutchess County's many historical sites where significant events have transpired.