"The Cottage" Historic House and National Landmark

William Kemble, co-owner of the West Point Foundry, which has recently been designated a National Historic Landmark built "The Cottage" in 1811 as his elegant country home. In this magnificent setting, the industrialist entertained nineteenth century military and political luminaries including President Lincoln, Winfield Scott and Washington Irving. The home has been restored with meticulous attention to original architectural details, preservation of the majestic Federal style rooms and furnished with elegant antiques.
The history tours by David will explain how in the nineteenth century, Cold Spring, NY, emerged as a vital hub of industrial innovation and social prominence, thanks in large part to William and Gouverneur Kemble and the West Point Foundry. This period saw the village flourish during the Industrial Revolution, with the Foundry playing a crucial role in the Civil War, producing artillery that President Abraham Lincoln himself acknowledged for its significance. The Kembles entertained influential figures, including Winfield Scott, E.I. DuPont, Captain Robert Parrott and other elite members of the military community who were integral to the development of American industry. Cold Spring also became a favored retreat for New York's elite society, drawn by its picturesque setting and proximity to the prestigious West Point Military Academy. This blend of industrial might, military importance, and social elite made nineteenth-century Cold Spring a microcosm of America's burgeoning power and refinement.