UntitledCLAPP HOMESTEAD - Mrs. Dorothy Alsdorf, Town of Wappinger Historian, has
compiled a most interesting history of the Clapp Family of Wappingers Falls. The Clapp
Homestead (top) is on South Ave., near Academy St, and is being converted into
section of the spacious living room. The large
apartments. The bottom photo shows a
photo on the wall is a South Ave. scene showing the Baptist Church done by Clinton
Knapp. Mrs. Alsdorf tells about the painting in her story. Clinton Knapp designed the
homstead which is described more fully by Mrs. Alsdorf.
The Clapp family came to
America in 1633 from improvement and raising their he built oq South Ave. It is
Weymouth England. They four sons. thought by some that he was
settled in Dorchester, Mass., Among Mr. Clapp's friends his own architect. This is
and remained in New England was Henry Clay. In 1840 perfectly possible for he
for several generations. Henry Clay visited the certainly was qualified to be.
In 1827 Benjamin Clapp Clapps. While with them Mr. From the outside the
and his family arrived at Clay addressed a large building appears
tonne f'
Wappingers Creek. They had gathering of people who happy rn
come from New York City assembled on the Clapp lawn. Victorian and Mansard roof
where Mr. Clapp was engaged One of the prize possessions style
in the, axle actor of 'Vi", thy, p . q
mirrors. galrf bred white pitcer archlt •ct j�rei1e',ctrr{erltly'"
M r . Clapp's business from which Henry Clay was popuar ` during the period
interests had always laid in served lemonade during the 1855-1900. While the Clapp
the field of manufacturing. In address. residence does not have the .
Lowell, Mass., he was the first This lovely house has had towers common to most
person to install and operate several owners since it was Victorian houses it does
a factory for manufacturing sold by the Clapp family. somewhat achieve that effect
cotton textiles. Practically every owner has through the bow windows.
Since Adolphus Brewer had attempted to improve the There is an abundance of trim
become the first industrialist appearance. As a result of most of it rather conservative
at Wappingers Creek probably these improvements the rear for the day. Fascinating ropes
none of the fine people who entrance has become the of wood are used to outline
followed him have been so front and vice versa. the window shapes. Molding
beneficial to the growth and During the years that is used to a limited extent on
development of the village as Benjamin Clapp was active the doors and doorways.
Benjamin Clapp. This in Wappingers Falls he Wooden tassel like strips
splendid citizen brought to provided work for many of appear under the eaves
Wappingers Creek prosperity the people in his factories and against the red brick walls.
in a greater measure than had on his estate. In addition to The walls are of red brick laid
ever been enjoyed before. this he was largely responsible in the ordinary manner. The
With the financial prosperity for the building of the first foundation stones, like most
he promoted culture and two churches in our village. of the older houses of the
education and served as a Benjamin Clapp was the area are of limestone.
living example of Christian donor of the largest amount Entrance is by means of a
virtues. of money given by an flight of six high steps and a
Benjamin Clapp's first individual for building Zion small porch. Large double
business venture at Episcopal Church. He also doors, each bearing a round
Wappingers Creek comprised gave some of the stone from window of colored glass,
a saw mill and mahogany his quarry. open into the large hall.
veneer factory. Mr. Clapp Several years later, about Rising upward, directly in
continued in this business for 1837, he gave the land upon front of the doors is a lovely
seven years. At the end of which the Baptist Church was winding stair. The newel post,
this time he opened the built. With this land he is spindels and bannister are of
Franklindale Cotton factory. reputed to have given dark mahogany. Only two
When Mr. Clapp purchased between $3,000 and $5,000. pieces of wood are used for
the property for his sawmill Mr, Clapp was also this bannister which
and veneer factory, he also responsible for the building continues with the stairs to
became owner of the water of the Baptist parsonage. the top floor. If one feels
rights to the creek and the Another great community underneath the bannister the
falls. These water rights had service for which Mr. Clapp places may be felt where the
passed to Mr. Skinner when was responsible was an wood was notched to permit
he owned property from the elementary school. Mr. Clapp the curving of the wood.
Rombout Patent. When Mr. at his own expense built a At the foot of the stairs
Skinner sold his property to school, furnished it and paid and to the left are large
Adolphus Brewer in 1739 the teacher's salary. In the double sliding doors which
these rights were included. So cold months he provided fuel. open into the drawing room.
they passed to the Mesiers All children were welcome to This room occupies the entire
and Mr. Clapp. In later years come here and learn at no left section of the second
Mr. Clapp sold his cost to them. floor.
Franklindale holdings to the Benjamin Clapp i s The high plastered walls are
Dutchess Print Works. The memorialized by the naming painted pure white. The
sale included the water rights. of Clapp Avenue and by the dropped molding which ties
The first home which appearance of his name, as a the walls to the ceiling are
Benjamin Clapp had in vestryman of Zion Episcopal covered with gold leaf as
Wappingers Creek was one Church, engraved on a brass bright and untarnished as if
which he rented from the plaque on a wall of that freshly applied. The walls are
Mesiers. This was the Yellow church. decorated with the delightful
House which later became the While the Clapps still lived American primitives done by
Reading Room which in the Yellow House a fourth Clinton Clapp in his later
preceded the present Grinnell son was born to them. This years.
Library. After several years was on May 28, 1 8 31. While all of the pictures are
residence here and in other Clinton was the name chosen large, the largest and most
rented homes Mr. Clapp for this son. Clinton Clapp beautiful one is that of South
purchased from the Goelett was educated in the village Avenue in the winter near the
estate a beautiful two-story school until he was 14 years Baptist Church. The people,
house facing on Clapp Ave. old. At that time he left horses and dogs were all real.
Mr. Clapp's home came to Wappingers Falls to attend This scene hangs over the sofa
be known as "The Clapp New York University where on the south wall. The
Homestead" or just "The he studied engineering. When picture above the mantle is of
Homestead." The house was he concluded his studies there the road along the lower
in those days facing Clapp h e entered t h e City creek. In this picture as in the
Ave. and was reached by a Mechanical Institute. When largest one the feeling of
rather long flight of steps as it he was 21 years of age, motion is depicted by a
sits high above the street. The Clinton Clapp returned to spirited horse. The season has
carriage entrance was from Wappingers Falls where he changed however and the
South Avenue through large remained the rest of his life., horse is pulling a sulkey.
gates. Clinton Clapp was a highly A niche on the north wall
The drive curved and gifted and talented man. He at the front of the room
wound through the grounds left to the village at least harbors the desk where
until it reached the main three monuments of these Clinton Clapp did his writing.
entrance to the house. In this gifts and talents. Above the desk hangs his
home the Clapps resided for Most obvious of his picture of the great fall of the
many years making their accomplishments is the CONTINUED ON 9B
plans for community magnificent mansion which
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a