farmHouse after Amos' addition

  The Belden House is not only a historic icon that has qualified to be on the State and National registry of historic places – it was the home to the Belden family for generations. The Belden’s were significant contributors to the town of Carmel and the County of Putnam.

In 1760, Thomas Belden built a simple small farmhouse, located on the present area of Rte. 6 & Belden Road. By 1830 under the new owner Amos Belden (nephew of Thomas) the estate had grown to 316 acres with extensions to the farmhouse, additional barns, a carriage house, icehouse, and a bridge over the waters near the house. Amos was a prominent attorney, held elective offices, and was one of the incorporators of the Philipstown Turnpike that made Carmel the business center for much of Putnam. In addition, the Belden estate supported Carmel through employing staff to run their farm.

By 1860 George Belden had purchased the estate from his grandfather Amos. It was George who converted the family farmhouse into a magnificent Gothic Revival mansion. The exterior had a steep gabled roof with lace sculpture design, a bay window, pointed window & door arches and inside there was intricate carving molding, staircase railings with sculptured pomegranate bulbs, and 5 fireplaces with marble surrounds. George Belden did not only convert the Belden home into a picturesque design of beauty, he too, was a significant contributor to Carmel.

George was a major donor to establishing Reed Library and was the founder of the Episcopal Church in Mahopac. Unfortunately, in 1873 George died and his extravagant spending had left the Belden Estate in poor financial standing. His wife Isabella sold the house to her brother Sylvester Best, who eventually sold the property in 1896 to the New York City Water Department. This was the beginning to the end of our historic Belden House.