William Pitcher Farmstead HSR

GREEN RENOVATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PITCHER FARMSTEAD
The Pitcher Farmstead presents a unique opportunity as a model for sustainable
preservation/rehabilitation to balance retaining historic fabric with “green” technology
and efficiency.
Due to the structure’s 20th-century identity as an auxiliary building, it has been passed
over for modern interventions. It is nearly all historic fabric. From this position it is
possible to look at how best to carefully insert some modern systems, strategies, and
materials while respectfully leaving those that have worked for more than 250 years.
The property, along with the Heermance Farmstead is one of the earliest established
farmsteads in northern Dutchess County. For more than 250 years, the agricultural
identity of this property has been maintained; the land is still providing food crops for
New York City as it did in the 18 th century. The house may be the oldest surviving
example of Dutch-style timber framing in the Town of Red Hook. Alterations to the
house in the second half of the 18 th century are consistent with local patterns
reflecting an influx of German immigrants after 1712 and the improvement of fortunes
that extremely good soil allowed them.
Property Description
Pitcher Lane is a quiet road that runs east-west through a valley that has supported
subsistence farms and woodlots, fruit farms, dairy farms, and now has fields of rye,
corn and alfalfa; orchards of apples; acres of blueberries; asparagus and other
vegetables for sale at farmers’ markets up and down the valley. There are only a
dozen houses on the road; most are clustered at the east end where Pitcher Lane
meets Route 9, a two-lane truck route. The southern 1/3 of the Pitcher Farmstead
property is open field; behind the barn complex and running the width of the property
is a marshy area with a seasonal stream; and the north half of the property is divided
between open field and woods.
Outbuildings
The remaining outbuildings of the farmstead include a horse shed, corncrib, and barn
complex, constructed on the foundation of a much earlier structure, the core of which
is a 19th-century English-style hay barn. Attached to the east side is a concrete silo;
to the north a 20th-century two-story structure with calf pens and a basketball hoop;
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