Our built environment played an important role in the American Revolution. George Washington made key decisions that helped define a new nation from a Dutch stone house overlooking the Hudson River. He also took up residence in the Dutchess County home of an ousted Loyalist while the Continental Army wintered nearby. Together, these places and others stand as living reminders that the Revolution was fought — and lived — far beyond the battlefield.
From riverfront estates to humble farmhouses and wartime headquarters, these historic homes in New York and elsewhere offer a window into the people and places that shaped the American Revolution.
Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown1 Clermont Ave., Germantownfriendsofclermont.org; 518-537-4240
The Georgian-style mansion overlooks one of the Hudson River Valley’s most stunning vistas and carries a rich history. Built around 1740 by Robert Livingston, it was burned by British forces in 1777 during the Revolutionary War to punish the family for supporting the rebel cause. Margaret Beekman Livingston led its rebuilding. Her son, Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, became a key American figure. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, administered George Washington’s presidential oath, negotiated the Louisiana Purchase, and advanced steamboat technology…