Morton Memorial Library
Why it's listed
Morton Memorial Library is a one-story brick civic building on Kelly Street in Rhinecliff, a small Hudson River hamlet in the town of Rhinebeck. Completed in 1905 to designs by the New York City firm Hoppin, Koen & Huntington, it was paid for by statesman Levi P. Morton as a memorial to his daughter. The L-shaped main block has a cross-gable roof, a projecting central pavilion with a large Palladian window, brick quoins, and flared brick lintels with stone keystones. A south wing, built for children's education, imitates an eighteenth-century regional vernacular house. The building sits on a small knoll above the hamlet's main intersection and contrasts with the Victorian architecture around it. It was listed for its early and characteristic Colonial Revival design, the early use of regional vernacular revival forms, its ties to the Morton family's philanthropy, and its exceptional integrity. Original oak woodwork, coffered ceilings, and built-in bookshelves survive inside, and it remains a library.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an early, characteristic and highly intact example of Colonial Revival village public architecture, marked by a monumental Palladian window. Its south wing is an early revival of the regional eighteenth-century vernacular house form. It was financed by statesman Levi P. Morton as a memorial to his daughter and has served as a community center since its construction.
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 87001089, listed July 9, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Kelly St., Rhinecliff |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | July 9, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001089 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Hoppin, Koen & Huntington (architects); builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition excellent; still used as a library. The south wing was recently converted into apartment space. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Hudson River Heritage Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.91899, -73.95117 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 87001089.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6914919
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.