Vails Gate, NY 12584

Orange County

BS Google

BS County

Orange County

Local Government

Vails Gate, a hamlet of New Windsor

Historic Places

Once known as Mount Ellison, this elegant fieldstone mansion showcases the mix of English and Dutch influences in the Hudson Valley’s history. Built in 1754, the property was the country estate of John and Catharine Ellison, prosperous gentry whose house and gristmill operations were served by a staff of enslaved Africans. During the Revolutionary War, the property served as a bustling military headquarters for some of Washington's highest-ranking officers, including Generals Henry Knox, Nathanial Greene, and Horatio Gates. Rooms are carefully furnished in period style, including a slave quarters and several unique “hands on” rooms where guests may handle reproductions of original furnishings and clothing. Occasional living history programs, cooking demonstrations, and special theme tours bring to life the house and grounds as they were when shared by the Ellisons and their military guests.

Hiking trails allow guests to explore the woodlands and provide a dramatic vantagepoint for viewing the ruins of the Ellison family's 1741 gristmill and the stone King’s Highway Bridge crossing the Silver Stream gorge. The Jane Colden Native Plant Sanctuary, also on the grounds, recalls America’s first woman botanist through a collection of the plants she catalogued while living nearby. Visitors can walk the wooded trail lined with wildflowers. Cross-country skiing trails provide opportunities to explore the site in its winter glory.

Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site has been named as a significant stop on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Revolutionary War trail.

OPEN: Mid-April through late October, Wednesday through Saturday, 10-5, and Sunday, 1-5; also open Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Please call for rates and advance reservations for guided tours for groups. Admission to New Windsor Cantonment is $4 adults, $3 senior citizens, $ 1 children.

Telephone: (845) 561-5498.

Points of Interest

Map of Vails Gate

Vails Gate is in the south part of the Town of New Windsor, located on Route 32. It is defined largely by the junction of that highway with Routes 94 and 300, a busy commercial center which has the ZIP code 12584. Part of that also spills into adjacent regions of the Town of Cornwall to the south.

Restaurants

Lodging

Businesses

Keep-on-Pumping CPR Training Center: PO Box 243; Vails Gate, NY 12584; 845 534 5463; Description: On-Site CPR and First aid Training.

Musical Munchkins: Andrea Soberman, Director 845-895-1387; Cornwall, Dance Design Studio, 291 Main Street; Goshen, St. James Episcopal Church, One St. James Place; Monroe, Orange County School of Dance, 16 Lake Street; Chester, St Pauls Episcopal Church-; New Paltz, Redeemer Lutheran Church , 90 Rt. 32 South; Music and movement classes for Babies (4-13 months), one, two and three year olds and Young Musician classes for three, four and five year olds ( specialized curriculum for each age level, combining Singing, Dancing, instruments, props, song stories, puppets, learning, friends, and FUN, FUN, FUN!) Winner of "Best Children's Music Program in the Hudson Valley ", We have been making music with young children for over 15 years, Weekday and Saturday classes