Pocantico Hills, NY | Library Open by Appointment
Historic Hudson Valley’s library and curatorial collections comprise a broad spectrum of material that represents the cultural and historical significance of the Hudson River Valley.
The museum’s collections—of books, manuscripts, examples of the fine and decorative arts, and historic artifacts—are far-ranging in scope and include significant objects associated with the people who once lived and worked at Philipsburg Manor, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, and Van Cortlandt Manor.
Historic Hudson Valley’s Library is a non-browsing facility open to the public by appointment. To schedule a visit, call 914-366-6901 or email [email protected]
Parts of the curatorial collection that are not regularly on view are available to be seen by appointment. Please contact [email protected] or 914-631-8200 to make an inquiry.
Manuscript Collection (PDF)
3,000+ items related to HHV properties or the Beekman, Chadeayne, Conklin, Hamilton, Hoffman, Irving, Philipse, Schuyler, and Van Cortlandt families as well as miscellaneous individuals.
Library Holdings
The Library supports Historic Hudson Valley’s mission to restore, preserve, interpret, and promote for the public benefit and enjoyment historic landmarks of national significance within the Hudson River Valley.
The Library does this through acquisition, reference, research and dissemination of information and materials for research purposes, exhibitions, special events, special projects, daily interpretation, lectures, publications, and promotions.
Contemporary Monographs
More than 12,000 titles in subject areas such as early African-American history, American 18th and 19th-century culture, art, architecture, biography, cooking, political and women’s history.
Manuscripts
3,000 items that relate to HHV properties or the Beekman, Chadeayne, Conklin, Hamilton, Hoffman, Irving, Philipse, Schuyler, and Van Cortlandt families. Find out more.
Maps
More than 200 18th, 19th, and 20th-century maps of Westchester County, New York State, and the surrounding areas.
Rare Books
Over 4,000 books including Washington Irving’s works, the Van Wart family collection, 17th and 18th-century Dutch volumes, 16th – 18th-century Spanish literature, and Diderot Encyclopedia.
Pamphlet Files
4,000 folders of material, including newspaper clippings, magazine articles, research papers, and printed ephemeral items related to life on our properties.
Graphics
1,000 items including American engravings, lithographs, and etchings of prominent individuals and Hudson River scenes.
Architectural Plans
1,200 original architectural plans of Historic Hudson Valley sites.
Historic Hudson Valley Archives
Documents and other materials created by Historic Hudson Valley.
Curatorial Collection
Nearly 10,000 objects dating from the 17th through the 20th centuries make up Historic Hudson Valley’s curatorial collection, one of best-documented in the Hudson Valley.
No other institution can offer a more comprehensive view of the region’s material culture, including significant objects associated with the people who once lived and worked at these historic sites. The collection is particularly strong in the decorative arts, including furniture and ceramics.
The importance of the collection lies partly in the fact that over 65 percent are original family possessions exhibited in situ. Visitors have the opportunity to see period pieces in context within the historic sites and learn the stories of who made, used or owned them. The breadth and high level of documentation for these objects make them an essential educational resource for students and scholars of American history and material culture.
FAQs
Can I photocopy materials?
Photocopies of materials may be made, for a fee, in accordance with the rules and regulations of United States copyright law. Photocopies will be made by Library staff and mailed to the researcher at Historic Hudson Valley’s earliest convenience after receipt of payment.
Not all materials may be photocopied, for reasons such as preservation, age, or rarity. Requests for photoduplication will be considered when such duplication can, in the staff’s judgment, be performed without injury to the document.
Permission to examine the manuscripts is not an authorization to publish, display, reproduce, perform, distribute, or prepare derivative works of them. To the extent that it may do so legally, Historic Hudson Valley will ordinarily grant publication rights for scholarly and other purposes permissible under United States copyright law upon written request by qualified applicants.
Can I publish materials from the museum collection?
Permission to examine manuscripts or objects is not an authorization to publish, display, reproduce, perform, distribute, or prepare derivative works of them. To the extent that it may do so legally, Historic Hudson Valley will ordinarily grant publication rights for scholarly and other purposes permissible under United States copyright law upon written request by qualified applicants. Please contact [email protected] for information regarding our fees and requirements for rights requests.
Do you accept donations?
We welcome inquiries from individuals regarding donations to the curatorial collection, as well as from individuals and organizations interested in helping the library to acquire special materials on life in the Hudson Valley. Gifts may include manuscripts, personal papers, book collections, photographs, works on paper or other objects, as well as financial contributions designated for the purchase of similar materials, or to improve conservation, preservation or access to our collections.
Please contact the librarian at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
Directions
GPS Address:
639 Bedford Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
