Definition
The Edmonston House is a historic residential structure located in Saugerties, Ulster County, New York, United States. It is recognized for its early‑American architecture and its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Overview
Constructed in the early 18th century, the house is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the village of Saugerties. It has functioned historically as a private dwelling and, in more recent decades, as a museum property managed by the Saugerties Historical Society. The Edmonston House was added to the NRHP in 1995, acknowledging its architectural significance and its contribution to the understanding of early settlement patterns in the Hudson Valley region.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Edmonston” derives from the surname of the family that owned the property during its early period of settlement. Historical records indicate that members of the Edmonston family were among the early European‑American inhabitants of the Saugerties area, and the house retained the family name as a distinguishing identifier.
Characteristics
- Architectural style: The building exhibits characteristics of colonial‑era architecture, with a timber‑frame construction typical of the Hudson Valley during the 1700s.
- Structure: It is a two‑story, rectangular wood‑frame house with a gabled roof and a central chimney. The exterior is clad in wooden clapboards.
- Interior layout: The interior retains period‑appropriate wood paneling, plaster walls, and original floorboards, reflecting the domestic layout of early American homes.
- Preservation status: Restoration work undertaken by the Saugerties Historical Society has aimed to preserve original materials and architectural features while adapting the interior for interpretive museum use.
Related Topics
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Ulster County, New York
- Historic preservation in the Hudson Valley
- Colonial architecture in the United States
- Saugerties Historical Society
- Early settlement history of Ulster County, New York