About & Contact

Mission

The Dutchess County Historical Society conserves the past to educate for the future by procuring, promoting, and preserving the history of Dutchess County. We are proud to be known for our publications, educational outreach, and collection of archival materials, photographs, and objects inclusive of the entire county. Our Annual Yearbook, published since 1914, is the oldest continuously published annual in New York State. In addition, 14 books on local history bear the Historical Society’s imprint. Exhibits, lectures, history awards, conferences, and a Living with History Series (tour and lecture of homes), round out programming for members of the Historical Society and the community at large. DCHS is a not-for-profit organization. We rely on support from memberships, gifts, grants, and donations.

E-mail

Please use contact@dchsny.org for general enquiries.

Telephone

Generally staffed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, some exceptions.
Call 845-471-1630. If there is no answer, please leave a message.

Postal Mail

DCHS
PO Box 88
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

For Library or Collections Research Requests

Please use this online form for fastest service.

On-site visits

Generally staffed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, some exceptions. Please call in advance to confirm. Clinton House, 549 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Location

Clinton House, 549 Main Street, Poughkeepsie

The Dutchess County Historical Society hosts one of the county’s most historic homes, the Clinton House. This 18th century landmark is located in the county seat of Poughkeepsie and operated by the Historical Society. For additional information or an appointment, please call 845.471.1630.

Built circa 1765 for Hugh Van Kleeck, the Clinton House is now a state-owned historic resource named to honor George Clinton, the first governor of New York State and former Vice-President of the United States. Although Clinton did not reside here, the house was likely used as a meeting place for New York State legislators during the period when Poughkeepsie was the capital of New York State.

The house is now home to the Historical Society’s offices, library and collections and provides quarters for the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Generally open as follows (except holidays), but please call ahead to confirm:

Tuesdays 10am-3 pm.
Wednesday 10am-3 pm.
Thursday 10am-3 pm.

Board of Directors

Michael Gordon, President
Lou Lewis, Vice President
Eugene Fleishman, Treasurer
Christine Crawford-Oppenheimer, Secretary
Christine Altavilla
David Dengel
Phillip England
Julia Hotton
Tom Lawrence
Candace Lewis
Ann Pinna
Werner Steger
Elizabeth Wolf
EX OFFICIO: William P. Tatum III

Executive Director

Bill Jeffway

bill.jeffway@dchsny.org

Founding

DCHS was formed at a meeting in the spring of 1914.