Bronck House facts for kids
|
Pieter Bronck House
|
|
 |
|
| Location | 90 County Highway 42, Coxsackie, New York |
|---|---|
| Area | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
| Built | 1663 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 67000012 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | December 24, 1967 |
| Designated NHL | December 24, 1967 |
The Bronck House, also known as the Pieter Bronck House, is a really old house in Greene County, New York. It's now a historic house museum where you can learn about the past. People think it's the oldest building still standing in Upstate New York.
This house shows us what early Dutch and Swedish Colonial buildings looked like. It was named a special National Historic Landmark in 1967. Today, the Greene County Historical Society takes care of it as a museum.
Contents
Discovering the Bronck House History
The Bronck House is located on Pieter Bronck Road. You can find it near Coxsackie, on the west side of the Hudson River. The house isn't just one building. It's actually a few connected parts.
The Oldest Part: Built in 1663
The oldest section of the house is at the very south end. It has super thick stone walls and a steep roof. Inside, it used to be just one big room on each of its two floors. There was also a space in the attic.
You can still see original parts inside, like wide wooden floors. The doors even have their first metal handles! Pieter Bronck built this part around 1663. He came from Jönköping, Sweden, with his Dutch wife. They were part of the Dutch settlers who came to the Hudson River valley. Pieter Bronck was also related to Jonas Bronck, who the famous area of The Bronx is named after.
Growing the House: Additions Over Time
In 1738, Pieter's grandson, Leender Bronck, built a bigger brick house. He connected it to the first house with a brick hallway. Later, in 1792, the Bronck family added another stone section. This new part was built onto the back of the 1738 house.
The family lived in the Bronck House for a very long time. They owned it until 1938. Now, the Greene County Historical Society owns and runs it as a museum.
A Special Moment: The Coxsackie Declaration
The Bronck House is also famous for another reason. People believe that the Coxsackie Declaration of Independence was signed here. This happened more than a year before the main Declaration was signed in 1776!
More to Explore
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
- List of National Historic Landmarks in New York
