Columbia Co: Van Alen House Archeological Discoveries

Since acquiring the Van Alen House in 1964, the Columbia County Historical Society has sponsored many archeological investigations on the property. When Matthew Kirk, Principal Investigator and Vice President of Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. began work at the 1737 homestead, the archeological record was thought to be irretrievably lost after the 1960s, when the landscape was significantly altered with a bulldozer to create a pond. Despite the damage, significant archeological discoveries were made that helped to better understand the family that lived there.
On Saturday, September 27th the Columbia County Historical Society presents “Walk, Talk and Explore: An Archeological Perspective on the History of the Van Alen House,” a behind-the-scenes tour with archeologist Matthew Kirk. The special tour, beginning at 3:00 pm at the Luykas Van Alen House on Route 9H, will feature Kirk and his archeological discoveries on the property.  Participants will then have the opportunity to explore boxes of the archeological artifacts found on the site at the nearby McNary Center at the St. Paul’s Church, 6 Silvester Street in Kinderhook. This event is free for Columbia County Historical Society Members and local students/ $10.00 for non-members.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967, the Luykas Van Alen House is a restored house museum, operated by the Columbia County Historical Society, representing 18th century rural Dutch farm life in the Hudson River Valley. The Luykas Van Alen House is open for guided tours Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00pm – 4:00 pm until Columbus Day.

For more information about this program please contact Caroline Correia at 518 758 9265 or educator@cchsny.org.