85 Old Kings Highway, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 - Ulster County

Historic ''Rest Plaus'' Farm: A Hudson Valley Legacy

Set within Marbletown's pastoral Rest Plaus Historic District, this extraordinary colonial farmhouse stands as a testament to over 250 years of continuous agricultural heritage. A National Register district, this area is comprised mainly of four farms and derives its name from the ''resting place'' where Old Kings Highway crosses the Kripplebush Kill creek, once the final watering spot for horses before continuing north into Stone Ridge, now, a few steps from this home's front door, Rest Plaus Farm is the place you can find the peace and rest you seek.

Encompassing over 20 acres of pristine farmland, the estate straddles both sides of the wide Kripplebush Creek which offers a place to cool off, explore, and watch the seasons pass. The property and surrounding landscape is protected by the Rondout Esopus Land Conservancy, ensuring uninterrupted open pastoral views for generations to come.

Inside, authentic Dutch colonial character abounds with exposed beams, fireplaces, practical built-in shelving and benches, wide-board floors, and divided Dutch doors fitted with period hardware. The first floor presents a delightfully rambling layout beginning with the original house's, living room, a formal dining area, a parlor/library, and a sunny kitchen where windows on three sides offer views of the fields, stream, and Old Kings Highway, and a Dutch door accesses the native stone patios in back that are ideal for outdoor cooking and starry nights.

A charming and practical back entry/mudroom connects the original structure to a newer addition where a delightful second living room with a fireplace connects to a private master suite. With the doors open this addition feels perfectly integrated with the house's character, with the doors closed, it is a private guest suite that's sequestered from the main house for complete tranquility.

The journey to the bedrooms is truly magical! The ''second floor'' unfolds across multiple levels where steps and hand-made doors lead to bedrooms, a bath, and a cozy reading nook landing. Architectural details including unique dormers, original millwork, exposed beams, and the charming level changes between spaces create an atmosphere unlike any we've encountered before.

Modern amenities have been seamlessly integrated with all these historical elements—a durable metal roof, new Marvin double-pane windows, an updated heating system with central air conditioning, a new septic, and modernized water systems ensure energy efficiency without compromising the home's integrity.

The farm's iconic 1930s red dairy barn has been reimagined as a pool house and heated workshop/studio. Its two-story recreation room has a style that's both rustic and modern that vibes with the natural surroundings and contemporary tastes. Impressive metal and glass doors open dramatically to access the pool and patio area, framing sweeping views of meadows and the meandering stream. On the other side of the barn, a substantial fenced vegetable garden was recently irrigated to better provide farm-to-table bounty steps from the kitchen.

85 Old Kings Highway's location is not only beautiful and historic it is also close to recreation, arts, and some of Upstate's prettiest towns and villages; set within a mile of the Marbletown Rail Trail, 10 minutes from the Mohonk Preserve, and just a few minutes from the charming hamlets of Stone Ridge and High Falls, and 20 minutes from Kingston.

Properties like this, which have been so well protected, are rare. This one's looking for a new steward.

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