Gardens and Grounds: The Evolving Landscape of Clermont

In partnership with The Cultural Landscape Foundation, join us at Clermont State Historic Site for a guided landscape walking tour that brings centuries of history to life. As we explore the grounds, we’ll trace the evolving relationship between the Livingston family and the land—from early and often contested land acquisitions, to the labor of enslaved men and tenant farmers, to the later vision of gentleman farming.

The tour also highlights the legacy of Alice Delafield Clarkson Livingston (1872–1964), whose travels in Italy inspired a deep appreciation for classical garden design. Upon returning to Clermont, she blended Italian formality with the natural charm of English-style gardens, creating in the 1930s the Walled, Wilderness, and Cutting Gardens—each reflecting a distinct character within the historic landscape.

Together, these stories reveal how generations of the Livingston family shaped—and were shaped by—the land over more than 300 years.

We recommend comfortable footwear, as the tour will…