The Montgomery Place Collections contain objects, artifacts and archival materials associated with the development of the estate and the people who once lived and worked there. Stewarded by the Bard College Stevenson Library, the Montgomery Place Collections are preserved and maintained for use by faculty, students, and scholars for the purpose of advancing education and scholarship. Accumulated over the course of more than 250 years and across seven generations, this body of material offers a rich historical record that reflects both continuity and change on the estate.
The Material Collection
The Material Collection includes over 8,000 objects ranging from the late 18th century to the middle of the 20th century. It encompasses fine and decorative art, furnishings, textiles, china, silver, military items, and household goods.
Among the collections in the Montgomery Place mansion are more than 100 paintings, including works by prominent American and European artists such as Rembrandt Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and Louis-Léopold Boilly. The site also houses examples of 19th-century garden ornament and furniture, agricultural tools and machinery, as well as a range of carriages, sleds, boats, and farm vehicles.
A significant highlight of the collection is the Mushroom Drawings of Violetta White Delafield, comprising nearly 600 annotated watercolor drawings created by botanist and mycologist Violetta White Delafield between 1900 and 1926.
Among the collections in the Montgomery Place mansion are more than 100 paintings, including works by prominent American and European artists such as Rembrandt Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and Louis-Léopold Boilly. The site also houses examples of 19th-century garden ornament and furniture, agricultural tools and machinery, as well as a range of carriages, sleds, boats, and farm vehicles.
A significant highlight of the collection is the Mushroom Drawings of Violetta White Delafield, comprising nearly 600 annotated watercolor drawings created by botanist and mycologist Violetta White Delafield between 1900 and 1926.
Montgomery Place Archives
The Montgomery Place Archives preserve materials spanning the late 18th through the 20th centuries, documenting the history of the estate, the Livingston and Delafield families, and the surrounding Hudson Valley communities. Highlights include:
- Architectural and Landscape Materials: Including architectural drawings and plans for the estate created by noted American architect Alexander Jackson Davis
- Maps and Early Records: 18th- and 19th-century maps of Montgomery Place, Delafield Family Papers (1880s–1980s), Saw Kill purchase records
- Books: This collection numbers more than 6000 titles, of which approximately 1000 are currently cataloged. Including early law books of Edward Livingston, as well as a deep collection of gardening books collected by Louise and Cora Livingston and Violetta White Delafield
Collection Access and Services
Collections staff are available to provide research assistance, facilitate class visits, and provide support for course projects that utilize the Collections and Archives. Faculty who are interested in integrating collection items into their curriculum or bringing a class to Montgomery Place should fill out our Collections Visit Form.
Individual Collection visits may be scheduled by students, faculty, and external researchers. Consultation visits take place at the Montgomery Place mansion, our collections storage facility, or the Stevenson Library Reading room. Email [email protected] to make an appointment or submit a research inquiry.
Individual Collection visits may be scheduled by students, faculty, and external researchers. Consultation visits take place at the Montgomery Place mansion, our collections storage facility, or the Stevenson Library Reading room. Email [email protected] to make an appointment or submit a research inquiry.
Image Reproduction
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GuidelinesWhen granted, permission to use an image in a publication applies to a one-time, nonexclusive usage. All reprints, further editions, translations, or re-employments of the printing plates/files in another project require a new permission. In granting reproduction permission, Bard College acts as the owner of the physical materials only. Bard College takes no responsibility for any possible infringement of copyrights laws in the publication of its materials.
- Bard College retains exclusive permission to publish its own images and to grant permissions for reproduction. The granting of permission for reproduction shall not be construed as the surrender of those exclusive rights by Bard College.
- Collections staff will provide metadata for the image according to the specific needs of the request. If the copyright status of the work is known, it should be noted.
- All images must include the caption: Collection of Bard College, Montgomery Place Campus.
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FeesFee Structure: $30 for a high resolution tiff or jpeg file. An additional access file may be provided at no cost at the discretion of staff. $50 for new photography, or a new scan. All images will be delivered on receipt of payment. Unless otherwise specified, images will be sent via WeTransfer.
Due to our interest in high-quality reproduction, researchers should expect our process of responding, accepting, processing, and sending to take at least two weeks. Rush orders require prior permission and will be accommodated per staff availability at an additional cost. Payment must be received before images are released. -
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