Benjamin Van Keuren House Ruin facts for kids
The Benjamin Van Keuren House Ruin is a historic site in the Town of Shawangunk, New York. It's what's left of a house built way back in 1745. A man named Benjamin Van Keuren and his wife Sarah were the first people to live there. They were important early settlers in the area.
Quick facts for kids |
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Benjamin Van Keuren House Ruin
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House site in background with commemorative plaque on nearby pillar, 2007
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| Location | Town of Shawangunk, NY |
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| Nearest city | Middletown |
| Built | 1745 |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001424 |
| Added to NRHP | November 22, 2000 |
The Benjamin Van Keuren House Ruin
The Benjamin Van Keuren House Ruin is located in Ulster County, New York. You can find it at the corner of Bruyn Turnpike and Benjamin van Keuren Drive. This spot is in the western part of the Town of Shawangunk.
Who Was Benjamin Van Keuren?
Benjamin Van Keuren was a very active person in his community. He was elected as the town supervisor four times. A town supervisor is like the main leader or mayor of a town. He also served as a soldier in the 4th Regiment of the Ulster County Militia. This was during the Revolutionary War, when America fought for its independence.
What Remains Today?
Sadly, the original house is no longer standing. It burned down a long time ago. Today, you can only see the foundation stones. These are the strong stones that were at the very bottom of the house, holding it up. They are on a small hill next to a woodlot (a small forest).
The town has remembered Benjamin Van Keuren and his important role. They named a street after him when new houses were built there. There is also a special commemorative plaque on a nearby pillar. This plaque helps people remember his contributions to the town's history.
In the year 2000, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important for their history, architecture, or archaeology. Being on this list means the site is recognized as a valuable part of American heritage.
