Maizefield

Maizefield is a three-story brick house in Red Hook with five bays and distinctive window treatments including a Palladian design. The property encompasses about 5 acres and contains additional structures such as a timber-frame cottage and garage.

General David Van Ness, a Continental Army officer during the Revolutionary War and first supervisor of Red Hook, lived in this Federal house. Alexander Jackson Davis added a Victorian cottage extension in the mid-1800s, connecting it to the original structure.

The house reflects Federal-era design principles through its balanced proportions and careful window arrangements that viewers can observe directly. These classical touches show how early American homeowners valued order and harmony in their living spaces.

The property sits on West Market Street and is easy to locate. Visitors should note that this is a private historic house with limited public access.

Renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis designed the Victorian extension, giving the house a rare blend of two distinct architectural periods. This combination of different building phases makes it an interesting example of how American residential design evolved over time.