A House Through The Ages

The Ulster County Historical Society is proud to have as its headquarters, the Bevier House Museum. The Bevier Family donated the building in 1935 to serve as meeting space and to house the collections of local historical artifacts stewarded by the UCHS.

The home site was first settled in the 1680's and began as a one room structure, constructed by Andries Van Leuven. It then may have reflected the Dutch tradition of positioning the gable end toward the street. In 1715 Louis Bevier of the New Paltz Patent purchased the property for his third son Louis and wife Maria Hasbrouck.

The site remained in the Bevier Family for the next 223 years and provided a successful income from farming. The home grew and was improved with most changes occurring taking place between 1840 and 1890, when much of the U.S. was experiencing rebuilding and reconstruction after many years of turmoil.

The house and its long history as a family dwelling offers a diverse and significant collection of local artifacts, artwork and cultural items.

A tool room, organized by and dedicated to the very knowledgeable, Peter Sinclair, holds the most extensive collection in the Hudson Valley of farm and homestead equipment, many of which are demonstrated in their use.

The colonial kitchen holds the hearth and is the core of the original dwelling as it might have been at the beginning of the property's history. One will find early examples of colonial pottery, metal work and woodcrafts created in Ulster County.

The Victorian Parlor houses a collection of furnishings, decorative items and portraits of the Elting Family, a member family in the Bevier lineage. Here too is a collection of paintings by Julia Dillon and Jervis McEntee.

The Dining room is set with more period furniture, paintings and several different china motifs from various artisans.

Upstairs in the house are two bedrooms, one furnished for children, the other for adults. Both contain personal items showing examples from the colonial era through early 19th century.

The Civil War room houses the largest collection of Civil War artifacts on public display in Ulster County. There are field drums, documents, photographs, maps and arms that help to tell the story of how Ulster County residents participated in the Civil War.

Copyright ©  2004-2010 Ulster County Historical Society