Few properties embody the history, architecture, and landscape of Woodstock as completely as the Lewis House. On the side of Overlook Mountain, at the very top of Lewis Hollow Road, and surrounded by thousands of acres of protected forest on Overlook Mountain, this remarkable property has evolved over more than 220 years while retaining the quiet character that makes it truly timeless.
The original quarry house, dating to 1805, forms the heart of the current home, with what are now the living room and library serving as its earliest rooms and bedrooms above. Successive stewards thoughtfully expanded the residence rather than reinventing it, allowing each generation to contribute its own chapter. A striking addition completed in the 1960s introduced tall, gently curving windows overlooking the mountain stream, filling the home with natural light and creating a constant connection to the sound and movement of water. In the 1980s, the current owners added a spacious kitchen with soaring ceilings centered around an antique Queen Atlantic wood-burning cooking stove and oven, although one usually uses the Garland gas range and wall oven. Also added was a garage which can transform into a summer kitchen and entertainment area. Above that is a studio that has its own private entrance and patio, kitchenette and full bath--equally suited for guests, creative work, or a future primary suite.
The home's history is woven into the cultural fabric of Woodstock. During the 1940s and 1950s it was home to historian and author Alf Evers, whose entertaining and well researched books on the Catskills, Woodstock and Kingston remain the definitive histories of the area. The white wisteria that still graces the front of the home recalls the annual Evers Wisteria Party, a reminder that this house has long been a place where people gathered to appreciate the beauty of its surroundings. Later featured in ''Good Housekeeping,'' whose editor headlined it as ''The Perfect Country Home.''
Outside, the landscape is every bit as compelling as the home itself. Ancient stone walls define open lawns, mature trees, flowering gardens, woodlands and meadows that were formerly apple orchards, while the mountain stream and waterfalls wind through the property beside the house. The in-ground pool, framed by local blue-stone, feels as though it has always belonged here. A wood shed and charming outbuilding add both function and character, while the hillside above reveals sweeping views across the Hudson Valley toward Kingston, with Overlook Mountain rising dramatically in the opposite direction. It is rare to find such complete privacy while remaining only three miles from the heart of Woodstock.
The home offers remarkable flexibility, with three bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor, additional guest accommodations on the main level, and the studio providing either independent living quarters or a seamless extension of the home. Two fireplaces continue to anchor during the colder months, while a newer roof, standby generator, walkout basement with mechanical systems, and thoughtfully maintained pool equipment provide comfort and peace of mind throughout the seasons.
More than a historic home, the Lewis House is a landscape, a retreat, and a piece of Woodstock's enduring story. It is a place where handsome architecture and beautiful landscaping have evolved with care over generations, where the sound of the stream becomes part of daily life, and where the next owner has the rare opportunity to become the steward of one of Woodstock's most distinctive properties.
