Livingston Manor: River, Art and History

On the edge of Catskill Park, Livingston Manor brings together Willowemoc Creek, distinctive buildings, and an arts venue. The river shapes several of the discoveries available here: at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, a 50-acre campus stretches along a one-mile section of Willowemoc Creek. Public fishing access points are also part of the local landscape. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether riverside scenery, art, or local history should be the focus of your trip.

River and Outdoor Activities

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum campus has walking paths and a two-acre pond. The center pairs an expansive riverside setting with opportunities to spend time outdoors. Families interested in nature and fishing may also enjoy the topics covered on school trips, which can include local history, the basics of fly fishing, and entomology, as well as a museum scavenger hunt, casting demonstrations, outdoor exploration, and hands-on crafts.

Willowemoc Creek is 27 miles long and runs alongside Main Street. Public fishing access points include locations directly on this street. Visitors are also permitted to fish in the creek at Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park. If you’d like to include fishing in your trip, you’ll find access on Main Street and another explicitly designated spot at the park.

Covered Bridge and Winter Activities

The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge spans Willowemoc Creek and is 103 feet long. Built by John Davidson in 1860, it was first known as Mott Flats Bridge and later as Vantran Bridge. These names and the year give the structure a distinctive place in local history. Snowshoeing and snow activities are also available at Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park.

Art and Architectural History

Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing #991 and Wall Drawing #992 are on view at Catskill Art Space from 2022 to 2027; admission is free. The venue is accessible via Routes 17 (I-86), 55, and 52. If you’d like to include art in your trip, these works, with their specified exhibition dates, offer a concrete point of interest, and you can take the Catskill Art Space’s road access into account.

The area’s architectural history can also be seen in its various buildings. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1857 and is considered the oldest known and documented structure in the village of Livingston Manor. First Presbyterian Church of Purvis was built in 1880; Purvis was the community’s original name. These details refer to different churches and dates of construction.

Getting Here and Choosing Where to Stay

The ShortLine Hudson bus service connects Livingston Manor with destinations including Kingston and New York City. When choosing a vacation rental or house, you can start by deciding whether you’d like to focus your trip on river activities, snowshoeing, art, or local history. These are all part of the area; which ones guide your choice depends on your own travel plans.

For further local research: Barryville, Cochecton, Wurtsboro, Claryville, Roscoe, Monticello, Liberty and Kenoza Lake.

For the broader travel overview: Sullivan.