Join us for the Chancellor's Open House Series
- Friends of Clermont
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 21
The Chancellor's Dinner is being reimagined this year as an open house series. Join us Saturdays this fall!
Each open house offers a unique experience—some feature guided tours, others include light refreshments, and a select few offer full dinner service. Availability is limited, so be sure to read each listing carefully and reserve your spot today!
The Chancellor's Open House Series raises funds to support Friends of Clermont's low or no-cost community programs and initiatives. Your gift is 100% tax-deductible.
Featuring
Southwood Estate
Saturday, September 20
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Southwood Estate is home to one of the Hudson Valley’s most spectacular views, stretching across the Hudson River to the Catskill Mountains, and is part of the original Livingston family estate.
Upon Robert R. Livingston’s death, his daughter Elizabeth Stevens Livingston inherited Clermont Manor. Her five children inherited portions of Clermont and built manor houses and farms, Southwood being one. After some years of neglect, Beatrice Perry purchased Southwood in 1969, and it has remained in the Perry family since.
Enjoy an open house tour with refreshments and bask in the evening views from the expansive porch.
Tickets:
Friends of Clermont Member: $50
Non-Member: $100
Edgewater Estate
Saturday, October 4
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Edgewater was built for John R. Livingston as a present to his daughter Margaretta on the occasion of her marriage to Captain Rawlins Lowndes Brown of Charleston, South Carolina. It was one of several river-side seats built by the Livingston family in this era, including Montgomery Place, Teviotdale, The Hill, and an eccentrically designed house known as “Old Turtle.”
In 1853, Edgewater was purchased from the Browns by Robert Donaldson, a North Carolina native who moved to New York to pursue a career in business. Thirty-five years earlier, Donaldson had toured the Hudson River Valley and recorded in his private journal he thought it “the consummation of Earthly Bliss to live in one of those palaces, on such a Noble River, under such a Government.”
Donaldson was committed to the house and enlarged it the following year with an octagonal library after designs by Alexander Jackson Davis. Davis also provided designs for two new picturesque gatehouses flanking the entrance to the property. Other surviving early structures include two small frame cottages, which were probably used by domestic servants. Historical records indicate that during the Donaldsons’ ownership of Edgewater, a majority of the servants employed by the family were recent Irish immigrants.
There are two tour times to choose from, 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Each includes a tour of the interior of the home, with time to explore the expansive ornamental grounds. Parking is outside of the gates with an approximately one-quarter mile walk to the house. Shuttle transportation is available.
Tickets:
Friends of Clermont Member: $20
Non-Member: $50
Harper House
Saturday, October 18
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Perched atop a hillside that overlooks the hamlet of Staatsburg sits a stately two-story home that was built for the housekeeper of Ruth Livingston Mills and Ogden Mills. The house was constructed in 1885 and is in close proximity to Staatsburgh State Historic Site.
Tour the home with owners Mary Alden and John White, learn about its rich history, and enjoy brunch on their beautiful porch! Mary coincidentally grew up here when her parents purchased the home in 1960. Mary also serves on the board of the Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh.
Tickets:
Friends of Clermont Member: $50
Non-Member: $100
Boltwood House
Saturday, November 1
5 - 8 p.m.
This is a unique opportunity to have dinner with our Executive Director, Randy Tryon, and his spouse in their charming 1913 center hall colonial. The evening will include a multi-course dinner service, and a fun game of trivia centered around our beloved Clermont.
Tickets:
Friends of Clermont Member: $125
Non-Member: $150
The Vow Dan Buren House
Saturday, November 8
6 - 9 p.m.
Enjoy a multi-course dinner in a stately Federal period home, circa 1795, owned by our board member John Delikanakis and his partner, German. Get to know more about them and the Friends of Clermont during this charming and unique dining experience.
Tickets:
Friends of Clermont Member: $125
Non-Member: $150
Thank you to our hosts
Mary Alden & John White
John Delikanakis & German Delgado
Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation
Hart & Dana Perry
Randy Tryon & Dan DeBerardinis
