New Historic Site

Ulster County is opening a fascinating historic and archeological Dutch treasure trove, the Matthewis Persen House, to the public for tours Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 2 pm beginning June 1, 2010. This historic gem, located at the corner of Crown and John streets in uptown Kingston, dates back to 1661 making it perhaps the oldest standing building in Kingston as well as in Ulster County.

Named after its longest resident, Matthewis Persen (1739-1819), the Persen House is located within Kingston’s Stockade National Historic District. Its earliest portions date from c.1661 and it is one of four landmark buildings on each corner of John and Crown Streets. This is the only intersection in the United States with 18th century stone houses on all four corners. The neighborhood was established just a few years before the Persen House began construction.

This house has witnessed so many important moments in Kingston’s history. It was burnt at least twice, saw wars and revolution, stood by Sojourner Truth as she testified, and was home to doctors, tailors, grocers, druggists, and innkeepers.

A walk through the building is a walk through time. Each section was built in a different period, five phases, and the restoration was carefully done to respect and reveal this history. The Persen House has been owned by Ulster County since 1914 and was used as the office for Cornell Cooperative Extension agricultural services. The restoration began in 1999 after the occupants were moved out due to structural instability.

Tours will be provided Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm. Saturday tours are planned to be provided by volunteers from historical societies, museums throughout the county and the Ulster County Clerk’s office.  Exhibits and special events are also in the works.  County Executive Michael P. Hein envisions the Persen House becoming a gateway to Ulster County’s cultural heritage, and hopes to see it evolve into an “Interpretive Center” that can represent all cultural heritage sites in Ulster County.