Brykill Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Brykill Farm
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North (front) elevation of house,
including original 1724 house, 2008 |
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| Location | Gardiner, NY |
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| Nearest city | Middletown |
| Area | 180 acres (73 ha) |
| Built | 1724; 1927 |
| Architect | Myron Teller |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| MPS | Shawangunk Valley MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001813 |
| Added to NRHP | September 26, 1983 |
Brykill Farm, also known as Brykill, is a special place in Gardiner, USA. It's a family-owned ranch that raises grass-fed beef using organic methods. This means the animals eat natural grass and no harmful chemicals are used.
The farm covers about 180 acres (73 ha) of land. From here, you can see amazing views of the Shawangunks mountains. Brykill Farm started as a small house way back in 1724. It was later expanded in 1927. Because of its long history and unique style, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Since 2000, it has been a ranch with small cottages for visitors.
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The Story of Brykill Farm
Brykill Farm has a very interesting history. It goes back hundreds of years!
Early Beginnings: 1694-1736
The land where Brykill Farm stands today was first given to Gertrude Bruyn in 1694. This was a special gift from King William III and Queen Mary II of England. That's why the area is called Bruynswick!
Later, in 1720, a man named Isaac Smedes bought the land. Four years later, in 1724, he built a small stone house. This was the very first part of what would become the main house you see today. In 1736, he made the house bigger, expanding it to the size of the main building block.
Changing Hands: 1850s
After Isaac Smedes, the house was owned by different families. These included the Jansen and Hasbrouck families, who were well-known in the area. During their time, around 1850, a large dining room in the house might have been used as a local courtroom. Imagine people coming to the farm to solve their legal problems! Later, in 1890, a small building called a gazebo was added near the water.
Modern Expansion: 1926-1927
In 1926, William Bruyn bought the property. He was a descendant of the original landowners. He wanted to turn it into a beautiful country estate. He hired a famous architectural firm from Kingston called Halvorsen and Teller.
William Bruyn wanted the new parts of the house to match the old, original style. So, the architects added new sections to the main house and connected them. They also built a service area. This careful planning helped keep the historic look of Brykill Farm, making it a mix of old and new.
