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While some may argue with the concept of historic districts, there’s no arguing with the fact that historic districts have so much value that it would be a lamentable tragedy to lose them. Historic districts tell us the story of the past, the then prevailing character of certain neighborhoods, the people who lived there, the style of houses they used to build, and other aspects of their sociocultural lives.

That’s the reason destroying historic buildings—or significantly changing their character—almost feels like robbery. It’s as if people have been unfairly disinherited of their heritage; their storied past. It’s like destroying the Colosseum and in its place, putting up a commercial complex or a highrise rental apartment.

For those who love the visual and sentimental appeal that historic districts exude, the Hudson River Historic District is not just one of the oldest, best-preserved, or most beautiful in the country—it’s also one of the largest in the United States.

Here’s What To Know About The Hudson River Historic District

In its posting in the National Register of Historic Places, the National Park Service describes the Hudson River Historic District as containing “a surprising number of architectural specimens that are exceptional in the history of architecture in the United States.”

In its architectural landscape, each house in the Hudson River Historic District is a remarkable example of architectural taste. And that in its finest and most gentrified sense.

As a corollary, one of the most celebrated architectural periods in modern history is the Romantic Period. This is when there was a marked revival in the past architectural styles that marked such medieval buildings as castles, churches, spires, and châteaus.

It happens that “there’s no other place in the United States,” at least according to the National Park Service, “that epitomizes the romantic period more truly than the Hudson Valley.”

But set in a charmingly bucolic background of the river named after the famed English sea explorer Henry Hudson, the Hudson River Historic District is not just an architectural marvel or a spectacle of elegance. It’s also one of the largest historic districts in the United States (and it's also home to some impressive historic lighthouses).

Actually, stretching to an area that spans 22,205 acres or 34.6 square miles, the Hudson River Historic District is the largest Federally-designated historic district in the contiguous United States. Of course, that means excepting the states of Alaska and Hawaii.

But it also means there might be one or two larger historic districts than the Hudson River District—but which are not federally designated.

A fine example is the Nantucket Historic District which, with an area of over 30,000 acres, is actually the largest historic district by size. However, Nantucket was established—not as a Federally-designated district—but as a local district.

Related: Day Trip To Troy: This Hudson Valley City Is A Cool Experience

What Makes The Hudson River Historic District Special?

Aside from being the largest Federally-designated historic district in the United States, the Hudson River Historic District is special in several other ways.

Of course, there’s the architecture, the best in the United States that, according to the National Park Service, epitomizes the Romantic Period. And let’s admit it, even if it has lost a dash of its village look in recent years and is not as quiet and serene as it used to be, the Hudson River Historic District retains a number of outstanding features.

For starters, as a cultural gem, the Hudson River Historic District has only a handful of equals.

With its colonial-era Dutch heritage, its unique quasi-feudal system of administration during its heydays, and the remarkably diverse social structure that makes it a racial and ethnic melting pot—the Hudson River Historic District is anything but ordinary.

It has also been noted that the area had a class structure, modeled on the tenant-landlord relationship, which was one of the most rigid in the whole country. And that’s even without touching on the historical district’s value in the making and re-making of the political edifice of the United States.

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What To See (And Do) At The Hudson River Historic District Today

One of the most popular attractions in the Hudson Valley Historic District is its grand houses. These were the houses where some of the wealthiest men in the country lived.

A particular favorite is the Vanderbilt Mansion, built by one of the first families of wealth in America, the railroad magnate, Frederick William Vanderbilt.

The magnificent beaux-arts mansion, and many others of a similar look, provide sweeping views over the scenic Hudson River—which itself is lined with many beautiful towns worth visiting.

  • Where Is Hudson Valley Historic District Located? The historic district starts from Germantown in Columbia County to Hyde Park in Dutchess County.

This area includes sections of Rhinebeck, Clermont, Red Hook, and Hyde Park. Today, the whole stretch bustles with activity and, perhaps surprisingly, is even more of a shopping venue than an idyllic getaway. A trip to one of the country’s largest historic districts will be a rewarding experience.