Clermont
Also known as: Livingston Lower Manor
Why it's listed
Clermont is a three-story mansion in Clermont State Park at Germantown, Columbia County, New York. Its brick walls are covered with white-painted stucco scored to look like stone blocks, and its hipped slate roof has alternating bands of square and fish-scale shingles. The site was part of a vast Livingston family estate, and about 1730 a house known as the Lower Manor House was built here. British forces burned it in 1777, and the present building went up soon afterward, incorporating walls of the older structure. Robert R. Livingston, who lived here, was a revolutionary leader, a delegate to the Continental Congress, the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs and a negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase. He also supported Robert Fulton's steamboat work, and Fulton's first successful vessel carried the name Clermont. Livingston family members lived in the house into the early twentieth century and altered it, most notably by adding a third floor and hipped roof. It now operates as a museum furnished with Federal and Empire pieces.
Significance in brief: The nomination ties the house to Robert R. Livingston (1746-1813), a revolutionary leader, Continental Congress delegate, first Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Louisiana Purchase negotiator. He also backed Robert Fulton's steamboat ventures, and Fulton's first successful ship was named The Clermont. The house also holds a large collection of Federal and Empire furniture, some original to it.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 71000535, listed February 18, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Clermont State Park, Germantown |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Listed | February 18, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000535 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 28, 1972 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated as a museum open to the public during specified hours; condition listed as good, altered, and on its original site; owned by the State of New York. |
| Acreage | 14 |
| Within district | Hudson River Heritage Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.08348, -73.91862 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 71000535.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5131930
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.