Bronck House facts for kids
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Pieter Bronck House
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| Location | 90 County Highway 42, Coxsackie, New York |
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| Area | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
| Built | 1663 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 67000012 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 24, 1967 |
| Designated NHL | December 24, 1967 |
Imagine stepping back in time to the 1600s! The Bronck House, also called the Pieter Bronck House, is a super old house in Greene County, New York, near Coxsackie. It was first built way back in 1663. Many people think it's the oldest building still standing in Upstate New York!
This amazing house shows us what early Dutch and Swedish homes looked like in America. Because it's so important, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1967. Today, it's a historic house museum where you can learn all about its past. The Greene County Historical Society takes care of it.
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Exploring the Bronck House: A Look Inside
The Bronck House is located on Pieter Bronck Road, not far from US 9W. It's between the New York Thruway and the town of Coxsackie, on the west side of the Hudson River. The house isn't just one building; it's actually several parts connected together. They are lined up mostly north to south, on the south side of Pieter Bronck Road.
The Oldest Part: Built in 1663
The very first part of the house is at the southern end. It's a strong building with thick stone walls and a roof that slopes down steeply. When it was first built around 1663, it had one big room on each of its two floors. There was also a space in the attic. Inside, you can still see original parts like wide wooden floorboards and doors with their old metal handles.
This first house was built by Pieter Bronck. He came from Jönköping, Sweden, and moved here with his Dutch wife. They were part of the Dutch colonization of the Hudson River valley. Pieter Bronck was even related to Jonas Bronck, who the famous area of The Bronx in New York City is named after!
Growing the House: Additions Over Time
As the Bronck family grew, so did their home! In 1738, Pieter's grandson, Leender Bronck, built a bigger brick house. This new part was connected to the original 1663 house by a brick hallway.
Later, in 1792, the Broncks added even more space. They built a stone addition behind the 1738 brick house. They used building methods similar to how the very first part of the house was made. The Bronck family lived in this house for a very long time, until 1938.
A Museum Today: Learning About History
Now, the Bronck House is a museum run by the Greene County Historical Society. It helps people learn about what life was like hundreds of years ago. You can visit and see how families lived and worked in early New York.
There's also another interesting building nearby called the Bronck Farm 13-Sided Barn. It's part of the Bronck farm, but it's listed separately as a historic place. The Bronck House is also famous because some people believe the Coxsackie Declaration of Independence was signed there. This happened more than a year before the more famous signing in 1776!
More to Explore
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
- List of National Historic Landmarks in New York
