Saugerties Historical Society / Kiersted House
119 Main Street Saugerties, NY 12477
Phone: (845)-246-9529 or (845) 246-0784

Built in 1727, the Kiersted House is home to the Saugerties Historical Society. Special events include historical reenactments in May, History Day in October, free seasonal concerts and historical displays on the front lawn. May-October, Saturday and Sunday, 2:00PM-4:00PM.

Kiersted House

John Kiersted (1786-1862) of Saugerties, New York was a member of a prominent family in Ulster County dating back to the Colonial Dutch period. Kiersted studied surveying with William Cockburn and eventually chose surveying as his life's vocation. He was widely employed by the Hardenburgh family, whose land patent comprised large portions of present day Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties.

In addition, Kiersted worked as an agent for other large landowners, such as John Hunter, Henry Overing, and the Livingston Family. He represented them in court during the many suits that arose over complications of boundries and titles. Kiersted was also engaged in various commercial interests such as tanning and lead manufacturing; and was involved in politics, having served as a member of the New York State Assembly in 1814-1815. On January 11, 1819, Kiersted married Nally Wynkoup, who bore three sons: John Jr., Wynkoop, and James.

THE SAUGERTIES HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

Purchased by the Saugerties Historical Society in 199, the historic Kiersted House at 119 Main Street in the Village of Saugerties is the Society's headquarters and the surrounding Mid-Hudson Valley community. The Kiersted House is architecturally significant as an exceptional example of early eighteenth and nineteenth century local building craft and practices. The original builder is still unknown, but the first recorded owner of the homestead was Hiskia Dubois in 1724, and it was purchased by Dr. Christopher Kiersted in 1773.

The farm at that time extended on both sides of the present Main Street in Saugerties. The rubble stone building appears to have been built in four sections. The old kitchen wing may date from 1724, and may have been the original residence while the main section of the house was being built in 1727. In about 1800 the dwelling was expanded with the addition of a stone parlor wing, the hall and present front door, and the joining of former outbuilding to the main house.

The back porch, and possibly present kitchen are thought to have been the last expansions. The Kiersted House retains much of its interior composition. The includes the wide wood plank floors; the box stairs; the Georgian mantels molding and cabinetry; much original iron hardware; and even many eighteenth century glass windowpanes, some bearing inscriptions. In 1998, the

Kiersted House was placed on both New York State and the National Register of Historic Places. As the museum of the Saugerties Historical Society, the beautifully landscaped 11/4-acre property, complete with centuries old black locust trees, is the site of many spinal eats, including History Day, Colonial Reenactments, and seasonal community concerts. Open 2:00 to 7:00pm weekends and holidays, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and by appointment Fridays and Mondays. Changing displays are featured within the elegant house.

Call (845)-246-9529 or (845) 246-0784 for further information and a schedule of events.

Click here for an article about the Saugerties Historical Society.