Several eminent Hudson Valley philanthropists have pledged $675,000 over five years to Historic Hudson Valley to enhance public programming and access to Montgomery Place, an historic architectural landmark designed by Alexander Jackson Davis featuring an expansive landscape influenced by Andrew Jackson Downing.

We are thrilled about this, as the gifts enable us to open the property more broadly to visitors and will hopefully generate additional local involvement and support of the historic site, the only HHV property in Dutchess County. It has been operating with a reduced schedule in recent years.

Effective immediately, the grounds are open to everyone (except pets, apologies to our furry friends), FREE OF CHARGE, daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The main house on the estate (above, and dining room, below) will be open for tours Thursdays through Sundays from May 15 to October 31, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a $10 ticket price (free for HHV members and kids under 5). House tours take approximately 45 minutes and will be available on the hour, with the last tour beginning at 3. Group tours with advance reservations, student group visits, wedding receptions and other private events will continue to be available by appointment 7 days a week.

Michael Hegarty, Chairman of HHV's board of trustees, said the commitments totaling $675,000, so far, will support programming for a period of five years (2010 through 2014) and are the foundation for launching a campaign to raise volunteerism and visitation, as well as additional financial support.

"These financial commitments come after a very difficult year when the museum community faced exceptional financial challenges to steward and operate historic properties in the shadow of a remarkable national recession," said Mr. Hegarty. "While we can not yet thank our generous donors by name, as the process of formalizing their commitments is ongoing, we're very pleased to share the news of the expanded program offerings that their gifts will make possible this year."

Mr. Hegarty continued, "We are very grateful for the outpouring of interest and support, and to the leadership of NY State Assemblyman Marcus J. Molinaro, Town of Red Hook Supervisor Sue Crane, and Sally Mazzarella, constituent services representative for State Senator Stephen Saland."

Waddell W. Stillman, president of HHV, said, "The work of maintaining and operating Montgomery Place to the standard which we apply to all our properties, and launching a full roster of programming at the property, seemed daunting. We are delighted that now, instead of having to continue to operate on a reduced schedule this year as we feared, these financial commitments will permit us to embark on an exciting program to increase programming at Montgomery Place and provide a more meaningful experience for visitors."

"HHV is in continued discussions with additional funding sources, and we are now launching a campaign to encourage small donations, as well as invaluable donations of time from new volunteers," he added.

HHV maintains 17 major structures at Montgomery Place, as well as 380 acres of landscape, orchards, trails and gardens (above), with an annual budget of a half-million dollars.  It is HHV's largest site by acreage and number of buildings, and the only one with its own buildings and grounds staff, but its distance from a large population center and the other historic properties in the HHV network has adversely affected attendance in the past.

Over its 23 years of ownership, HHV has invested more than $24 million in the property, most from its unrestricted endowment, on significant necessary improvements.  Most recently, it completed two major grant-funded projects, the exterior restoration of the Swiss Factory Lodge and installation of water, sewer and electrical infrastructure. The top preservation priority for 2010 is continuing restoration of building exteriors in Annandale, including the AJ Davis-designed farmhouse.

This year, HHV will pilot a new educational plan to enrich the experience for visitors by exploring the changing relationship between Americans, landscape and nature over time. It will also install a dozen new interpretive panels in the Montgomery Place landscape and, early in 2011, launch a new online program exploring topics arising from aspects of the site. You can see the site's incredible garden elipse here. 

A Call for Volunteers
Your hands are needed! Using these leadership gifts as inspiration, Montgomery Place site director Raymond J. Armater is issuing a call for local volunteers to be trained as site guides and docents, as well as volunteer gardeners on which the beauty of the landscape has long depended.

"There is great passion and fondness for Montgomery Place in our local community," said Mr. Armater, "and we seek to build on our local enthusiasm as our own best advocates for the beauty and importance of Montgomery Place as we expand programming and outreach to visitors."

On Saturday afternoons in February, Mr. Armater will be hosting neighbors and volunteer candidates on the north porch of the house at Montgomery Place, warmed by complimentary hot chocolate from 2-4 p.m.

Upcoming Events

Several Montgomery Place events are in the works this year, such as a first annual "porch party" at the house on Saturday evening, June 5. The Madalin Hotel in Tivoli will graciously cater the event as a gift, and the event will feature the season's first fruits from Montgomery Place Orchards operated by Doug and Talea Fincke, and Millbrook wine contributed by Millbrook Vineyards proprietor John Dyson. Yum yum! This is a ticketed special event. Call 845-758-5461 or email Ray for an invitation.

Together with Joe Cicileo of The Madalin Hotel, Mr. Armater also shared details about an exclusive catering partnership under the banner Madalin at Montgomery Place.  It will include social catering for wedding receptions and other private events and regular Friday evening food service at the site at sunset, including a simple menu of light fare and drinks, with superb musical accompaniment. This program will operate Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day. More details to follow!

Car buffs should save the date of  September 12 for an antique car show at Montgomery Place, and there will be special programs that coordinate with Family Weekend at nearby Bard College, October 22-24.

This is all exciting news. More updates will be coming about special programs at all HHV sites, including Montgomery Place, over the next few weeks.