SCHUMER, AFTER VISITING & LAUNCHING PUSH LAST MONTH, ANNOUNCES $500,000 FOR BOSCOBEL HOUSE & GARDENS AS THEY RECOVER FROM TRAGIC CEILING COLLAPSE THAT CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO[...]

Schumer Last Month Visited Boscobel Promising To Fight To Deliver Fed $$, Which He Just Successfully Helped Pass Into Law In National Parks Service's Historic Preservation Fund Appropriations Bill For Beloved Putnam County Historic Site

Ceiling Of Boscobel's Historic Library Collapsed In April 2024 Without Warning, Damaging 200-Year-Old Collection And Building, But Schumer's Advocacy Will Help Save One Of The Hudson Valley's Most Treasured Early American Landmarks

Schumer: Critical Fed $$ On The Way To Preserve Boscobel For Generations To Come

A month after visiting Boscobel's historic house and calling for federal funding for repairs, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today delivered on his promise with $500,000 in federal funding to help restore this beloved historic site for Putnam County, which is now thanks to Schumer on its way to being signed into law as part of the National Parks Service's Historic Preservation Fund in the FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

Schumer explained that the Boscobel House's plaster ceiling collapsed in April 2024 without warning, risking the over 200-year-old collection and causing extreme damage to multiple rooms, which require extensive renovation, but now, thanks to the funds he secured, one of the Hudson Valley's most beautiful libraries will have the support it needs to preserve this historic site for the next generation.

"Boscobel House and Gardens is a key part of the Hudson Valley's rich cultural heritage. I was proud to visit the iconic historical building last month and was heartbroken to see damage from the historic library's ceiling collapsing. I'm proud to announce that, following my personal push, I have just helped pass $500,000 in federal funding into law to help Boscobel rebuild stronger than before and preserve this American treasure for the next generation," said Senator Schumer. "This boost will give Boscobel the resources it needs to ensure this beautiful, historic house can continue telling the story of the Hudson Valley and our nation's history."

"This funding underscores the essential role public investment plays in sustaining cultural and historic institutions across our country and ensures Boscobel can continue to serve a center of history, learning, and inspiration as well as a regional economic engine. Senator Schumer immediately understood the urgency and importance of our situation, and how this funding enables us to come back from collapse stronger than ever and welcome broader audiences to engage with the great American story. The Senator has secured this critical funding at a pivotal moment, allowing us to move forward on emergency restoration," said Jennifer Carlquist, Executive Director and Curator.

People come from across the world every year to visit the historic Boscobel House and Gardens. Built in the early nineteenth century, the Neoclassical mansion was saved from demolition in the 1950s when it remained on the site of the newly built FDR Montrose VA Hospital, but was meticulously reconstructed as a museum at a new site close by shortly thereafter and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The site overlooks the Hudson Highlands and is known for its sweeping views of the Hudson and nearby West Point, which inspired the renowned Hudson River School art movement. Today, the museum grounds are 68 acres featuring lush gardens, a bronze sculpture garden of Hudson River School Artists, and a woodland trail. The site also served as the longtime home of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival from 1988 through 2021.

In April 2024, the plaster ceiling in Boscobel's historic library collapsed without warning, damaging the collection and the building and requiring the replacement of 19 of the library's 24 ceilings. Schumer explained that the $500,000 he delivered was included as a congressionally directed spending request through the National Parks Service's Historic Preservation Fund in the final FY 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill that just passed the Senate after passing the House of Representatives earlier this month. The federal funding Schumer delivered in the final FY 2026 budget bill will allow Boscobel House and Gardens to restore and structurally repair the damaged ceiling, increase safety and accessibility throughout, and add public restrooms. Funding will also revitalize historic rooms, replace damaged textiles and wallpapers, and upgrade the building's HVAC system to improve efficiency.

Schumer last month visited Boscobel House and Gardens to push for this federal funding and previously visited in 2021 to announce the benefits available to the Hudson Valley's live venues, performers, and artists through the American Rescue Plan he led to passage in the Senate.

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