10 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Columbia County

Clermont State Historic Site is located in Columbia County, New York. It comprises of a large estate of buildings, gardens, and grounds that are a reminder of the past 300 years of the Livingston family's legacy. The estate has been open to the public since 1975 and is a National Historic Landmark.Visitors to the Clermont State Historic Site will find the main house, the oldest house in the Hudson Valley. It was built in 1710 and is a fine example of colonial architecture.

The Columbia County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Columbia County. The society was founded in 1975 and is based in the Village of Valatie. It promotes and fosters historical education and research by collecting and preserving documents, books, photographs, and artifacts related to the history of the county. They also host educational events, tours, and field trips to historical sites in Columbia County.

The Columbia Land Conservancy Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Columbia County that is dedicated to protecting and preserving natural resources and open spaces in the area. Founded in 1990, the Conservancy works with a variety of organizations and individuals to protect land and water, protect wildlife and habitat, manage and restore natural resources, and provide recreational and educational opportunities for the community.

Copake Iron Works Historic Site is located in Columbia and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1845, this former iron ore smelting plant is one of the oldest surviving industrial sites in the United States.The Copake Iron Works Historic Site is a reminder of the importance of the iron industry in the development of Columbia County. Operated by the Columbia Iron Works Company, the site was part of the Columbia-Catskill region's industrial growth in the 19th century.

The Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse is an historic one-room schoolhouse located in the town of Claverack, Columbia County, New York. Built in 1875, the schoolhouse served as an educational center for the local community until it closed in 1958. The building is a significant example of 19th century rural architecture, featuring a gable roof, clapboard siding, and wood-sash windows. The interior of the schoolhouse features an original blackboard and a recitation bench.

James Vanderpoel's House of History is a well-known and beloved collection of art and artifacts located in the heart of Columbia. Founded by James Vanderpoel in 1882, the House of History showcases a unique selection of objects from Native American and African-American culture, along with examples of art and everyday items from various historical periods. Visitors to the House of History can take a self-guided tour to learn more about the history of the area and the people who shaped it.

The Luykas Van Alen House is an historic 18th century stone house located in the town of Kinderhook in Columbia County. Built in 1737, the house is one of the earliest surviving examples of Dutch Colonial architecture in the United States. The house is a two-story, five-bay structure, constructed of stone and capped with a gambrel roof. The house was the home of Luykas Van Alen, a local Dutch settler, who built the house on land granted to him by Dutch patroon Stephen Van Rensselaer.

Olana House in Columbia, South Carolina is a two-story antebellum home built in 1836. It is one of Columbia's oldest and most iconic historic homes, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built by John Olana, who was a successful planter and businessman in the early 19th century. The house is an excellent example of the Greek Revival style of architecture, featuring a classical portico with four Ionic columns.

Olana State Historic Site is the former home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church. Located in Columbia County, New York, the 250-acre estate features the painter’s ornate Persian-style home and extensive landscape views. The main house is a National Historic Landmark and features intricate Moorish-style architecture across two stories, and interiors filled with the artist’s original furnishings.

Steepletop is an historic estate, once the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, who purchased the property in 1925. The estate is comprised of an expansive main house, numerous outbuildings, and over 200 acres of land. The main house is a two-and-a-half story Colonial Revival structure, with wide porches, a two-story portico, and two imposing brick chimneys. The interior features a mix of hand-crafted Arts and Crafts furniture, original artwork, and antique furnishings.