In the Village of Kinderhook NY

HISTORIC FEATURES
of 15 Hudson Street, Kinderhook NY

Hudson Street is located within the Kinderhook NY Historic District which is on the National Register of Historic Places. County historian Franklin Ellis' 1878 description of Kinderhook's handsome village environment applies equally today, "An atmosphere of quiet contentment was created by a then century-old custom of spacious lots, low density population, regular streets usually planted with trees, and ornamental landscaping." (History of Columbia County, p.223)

In the winter of 1775-76 Colonel Henry Knox transported a vital shipment of artillery (44 cannons, 14 mortars and one howitzer) from the captured Fort Ticonderoga 300 miles to the beleaguered City of Boston. He led his hardy band over the frozen Hudson River and snow covered countryside using ox and horse-drawn sledges. On January 9, 1776, Knox drove his train southward (on what is US9) into the Village of Kinderhook. Turning left on Hudson Street they crossed the Kinderhook Creek.  Following the proximity of today’s County Route 21, they continued with cannon on to Ghent and easterly to join Gen. Washington at Dorchester Heights. A Knox Trail Marker on the Village Green commemorates  this heroic and historic event.

Hudson Street represents the most diversified examples of architectural age, style, and original function in the Kinderhook Village Historic district. Like most structures in the district, this Hudson Street residence is set back from the street on a lot resulting from typical 19th century village development.  The property is surrounded by and protected by other well-cared-for clapboarded, wood-framed historic structures similar in scale. (History Files, Village Hall, Kinderhook, NY)

The Back - White clapboard siding with its Bluestone Patio

Historically this house is interesting because of the three distinct periods in which it was built.  The original structure, now believed to be the front half,  is believed to have been  built between 1721 and 1728 with its gambrel roof, Hudson River Pink Brick facade and with Federal Period interior renovations completed Post-Revolution when supplies became available.   The back half is now believed to have been added in approximately 1765.

The east wing was added in the 19th Century, probably to facilitate moving the kitchen from the basement to the first floor.  The wing included another room to the read now used as the laundry and mud room.  The dining room bay window was also added at this time. 

Photos of the house taken in the 19th Century show it with a gingerbread front porch   Gingerbread decoration was also  seen along the front of the gambrel just above the eaves as well as on a westerly side porch.  The porches and other 19th Century decoration were removed in the mid 20th Century, thus restoring the building to its original 18th Dutch Colonial appearance. 

One of the oldest homes in the Village is 15 Hudson Street. Ralph Duck, "Kinderhook and Its People 1914-1984", p.136) Traditionally, the original structure – now at the front of the house – is said to date from 1721. (Times Union 8/16/1959)  The late Henry C. Van Schack stated that "in Indian war-times the present widow Schnapper's place was (within) a stockaded fort to which in times of alarm the women were wont to flee, the men being at work in the fields far away."  It was for many years the first known parsonage of the church." (Collier, p.353) 

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        The Sitting Room features a Cooking Fireplace
        with Oven. This English-style fireplace was the
        more efficient replacement for the original Dutch
        fireplace. This was most likely installed during
        the 1765 renovation when the kitchen was
        moved from the basement to the main floor.

“…when in 1748 there was a small stockade in Kinderhook, and this house served as a fort and a place of refuge… It was enclosed by a wall of heavy timbers with great gates that could be closed quickly.  It was the only fort between the Hudson River and Stockbridge, Mass.” (Walking Tour Guide to Kinderhook 1959 published by the Columbia County Historical Society)

                            The Sitting Room
Distinctive Hand Hewn Pitch Pine Beams and Ceiling Planks believed to be original to the house

This is most likely the house to which the Dutch Reformed minister, Domine Johannes Fryenmoet moved when he was promised “a residence appropriate to a minister with kitchen, hall, with back land (back field or back yard?) for garden cornfield and orchard…”  The quote is from a 1756 letter (Translated from the Dutch) to the minister from the Dutch Reformed Church in Kinderhook. It is believed to be the first written record regarding this residence.

The front of the house, like all other gambrel roof houses in the area, undoubtedly dates from c.1760-70. (Blackburn, Village Hall Records) Notable architectural features include the front brick facade, an unusual feature because at that time the gable ends were commonly given a brick treatment as well.  This building has framed gable clapboard sides. The front brick facade here evokes the 17th century Albany ordinance requiring dwellings built in Albany to have brick facades in order to improve the appearance of the town. The gambrel roof of this house allows for a full second story on the interior. 

The gambrel roof has different pitches than other gambrels in Kinderhook but is related to several in Claverack.  So far as is known, the gambrel is original to this portion of the house and not an alteration to an earlier roof line. (Village Hall Records, Kinderhook, NY)

The interior of the c.1765 portion took on the Federal Style after the Revolution.  This is apparent in the design of the center hall staircase with its carvings,  cherry banister and newel post, mantelpieces and moldings.

             18th Century Dutch Mantle Support
       Located in basement under dining room fireplace
               Believed have been the original kitchen

19th century alterations: First floor kitchen addition & dining room bay window are evident on the easterly side of the house. (Photos to right) Of additional significance to the 19th Century Post 'n Beam Barn Barn, (Seen to right) is a 19th Century well house just to the left of the current bluestone patio.

With its nine foot first floor ceilings and numerous fireplaces, this historic gem was considered luxurious in its time.  Today it’s set in the National Register of Historic Places District of Kinderhook Village where its Federal elegance prevails along with its Early Colonial ambiance. We find this Classic Hudson Valley Dutch Colonial not only in excellent condition, but in many respects, of museum quality.

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