The Ulster County Clerk’s Office has announced that the Matthewis Persen House Museum will be closed to the public for the 2026 season while critical roof restoration work is completed.
Located at the historic intersection of Crown and John Streets in Uptown Kingston, the Persen House is one of the oldest and most significant buildings in Ulster County, NY.
Operated by the Ulster County Clerk’s Office as a cultural heritage site, the museum has long welcomed visitors with exhibits, guest hosts, and cultural programming highlighting the region’s rich and diverse history.
The temporary closure will allow for the replacement of the building’s roof as part of a major preservation project supported through a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (State Parks) Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Grants Program.
In December 2024, Ulster County was awarded $558,232 to complete the project, which is considered a critical step in preserving the historic structure within the Kingston Stockade National Historic District.
The Ulster County Clerk’s Office worked collaboratively with the Ulster County Executive’s Office and the Department of Public Works Buildings & Grounds Division to secure the funding and plan the project.
Architectural planning and contractor selection have taken place over the past year, and construction is expected to begin in July 2026, continuing through November before resuming in spring 2027.
Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck acknowledged that the closure will be felt by many in the community. “The Persen House has become an important gathering place where residents and visitors alike can connect with Ulster County’s history,” she said.
“While we will certainly miss welcoming guests during the 2026 season, this project represents an essential investment in protecting one of the county’s most treasured historic sites for generations to come.”
Ulster County Historian Eddie Moran also emphasized the importance of the restoration effort.
“Closing for a season is never easy, especially for a place that brings so many people together to explore our shared past,” Moran said. “We are disappointed that we won’t be able to host our usual slate of programs in 2026, including events connected to the Burning of Kingston commemoration. At the same time, we’re excited to see the Persen House’s historic roof restored so the building can continue welcoming visitors for many years to come.”
Built in the 17th century and expanded over time, the Matthewis Persen House Museum has served many purposes throughout its long history and today operates as a museum and educational center within the Kingston Stockade National Historic District.
When open, the site welcomes visitors with rotating exhibits, artifacts uncovered during archaeological excavations of the property, and interpretive displays that highlight the many layers of Ulster County’s past and the diverse communities that have shaped the region.
Photo: Matthewis Persen House Museum, ca. 2025 (provided by the Ulster County Clerk’s Office).
Source link
