Page 36 - Dutchess Tourism 2023

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DUTCHESS COUNTY DESTINATION GUIDE
History Comes Alive
Discover Dutchess’ rich past and the stories of the people—explorers, artists, taste-makers and more—who called this special place home.
Bannerman’s Castle
Visit Pollepel Island in the Hudson River to view the
ruins of the Scottish-style castle. It was built in the early 1900s by Francis Bannerman VI to store military surplus items. Only accessible by boat or kayak from Beacon, the castle, residence and restored gardens can be explored by guided walking tours. Special events and exhibits, movie nights, lectures and theatrical performances offer memorable experiences with amazing views of the Hudson Highlands.
Wilderstein Historic Site
Wilderstein Historic Site in Rhinebeck was the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cousin and close confidant Margaret “Daisy” Suckley. With its five-story circular tower, the brightly painted Queen Anne-style Victorian house, built
in 1852, is a dazzling sight to behold. Wilderstein, or “wild man’s stone,” references a Native American petroglyph found on the property, a nod to the original habitants of the Hudson Valley.
Italianate-style mansion is now open for tours, allowing visitors
an up-close view of more than 15,000 pieces of fine and decorative arts, paintings and furniture. Explore the grounds, which feature 200 acres of hiking trails, an ornamental flower garden and river vistas.
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Step back in time at the lavish country home of Ogden
and Ruth Livingston Mills, one of several opulent Gilded Age estates overlooking the Hudson. Tour the Beaux-Arts mansion of 79 rooms and explore the 192-acre property, which features a variety of hiking, biking and cross-country trails directly on the Hudson River in Mills-Norrie State Park. Plus, check out Titanic-themed tours, special exhibits and live music on the lawn.
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Montgomery Place
Montgomery Place in Red Hook is the region’s only surviving Federal-era estate house, with walking trails that reveal gorgeous views of the Catskill Mountains. It was built
in 1805 by Janet Livingston Montgomery, the widow of Revolutionary War hero General Richard Montgomery.
Locust Grove Estate
In Poughkeepsie, explore Locust Grove, the summer retreat of telegraph and code inventor Samuel F. B. Morse. The
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome preserves more
than 60 antique and reproduction airplanes, plus vintage automobiles and motorcycles. Most notably, it is home to the world’s oldest regularly flying airplane, a fully functioning 1909 Bleriot XI. Founded in 1958 by vintage aircraft enthusiast Cole Palen,
the Aerodrome includes a flying reproduction of
the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane aboard which Charles Lindbergh made the first nonstop solo transatlantic flight in 1927. Watch a thrilling airshow with simulated combat between WWI-era biplanes, monoplanes and triplanes. Book your own 15-minute flight in a 1929 New Standard D-25 biplane with an experienced pilot and up to three passengers.
© JAIME MARTORANO