Oak Hill
Why it's listed
Oak Hill is a two-story brick country house with a stone foundation and raised basement, set in a landscaped clearing above a wooded bluff overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. John Livingston, a son of the third and last Lord of Livingston Manor, built it in the mid-1790s after his father's death divided the manor among the sons. Because wealthy men of the period often shaped their own houses, the nomination considers it likely that he served as his own architect. The house shows Federal features including a Palladian window, fanlights with tracery, French windows on the facade, and an arched screen with engaged columns in the central hall. A mansard roof, porch and kitchen wing were added in the 1870s. The estate includes a carriage house, garage, corncrib, gatehouse and several older houses. The property was listed for its Livingston family connections and as the only Federal-style Livingston estate in southern Columbia County.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Oak Hill is significant for its association with the Livingstons of Livingston Manor, a family that shaped the region's economic, political and social life for over two hundred years. It is also presented as a high-style example of Federal architecture in a mid-Hudson Valley country estate, and the only Livingston estate in southern Columbia County originally built in that style.
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 79001573, listed June 26, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Linlithgo on Oak Hill Rd., Linlithgo |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Listed | June 26, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001573 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architect / builder | John Livingston |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition; the main house is a private residence, and the form lists it as occupied. |
| Acreage | 200 |
| Coordinates | 42.20052, -73.84432 (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 79001573.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7073559
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.