The Columbia County Historical Society, based in Kinderhook, NY, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history and culture of Columbia County, New York. The Society is headquartered in an early 20th-century Masonic Hall, which houses a gallery for changing exhibits and a research library. The current exhibit "Collecting History: Highlights from the Collection of the Columbia County Historical Society," features a sampling of the depth of the Society's collection. The Museum and research library are open to the public year round. The Society also owns several historic properties that are open seasonally.

The 1737 Luykas Van Alen House is a restored 18th-century rural Dutch farmhouse. The house, featuring parapet gables, Dutch doors, and entrance stoops, is an example of traditional Dutch architecture in the Hudson River Valley. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

On the property of the Van Alen House is the one-room Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse (c1850). It takes its name from Washington Irving's schoolteacher in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Irving's Ichabod Crane character was modeled after Jesse Merwin, the schoolmaster who taught in this school district at the time of Irving's visits to Columbia County in the mid 19th century.

The James Vanderpoel House (c. 1820) is a distinguished example of Federal period architecture. The Society is restoring this property to be reopened as the Center for Columbia County History.

Your donations help:
Your donations support Society's operations and effort to improve public access to the collections through expanded programs, tours, and exhibits.

http://www.cchsny.org/

There are many ways you can get involved.

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