Fort Crailo facts for kids
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Fort Crailo
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Front elevation and north profile, with work underway on entrance walkway, in 2010
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9½ Riverside Ave, Rensselaer, NY |
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| Built | c. 1712 |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Dutch Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000563 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1961 |
The Crailo State Historic Site is a very old and strong brick house in Rensselaer, New York. It's also known as Fort Crailo or the Yankee Doodle House. This historic house was built way back in 1707.
The name Crailo comes from a Dutch phrase, kraaien bos, which means "crow's woods." This name was also used for an estate in Holland owned by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, a Dutch merchant. Today, Fort Crailo is recognized as a special historic place on the National Register of Historic Places.
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History of Fort Crailo
The area around Fort Crailo was known as Greenbush for a long time. This started around 1663 and continued through the 1700s. The land had farms, fruit orchards, mills, a store, and even rights to run a ferry across the river to Albany.
Early Defenses and Conflicts
As early as 1663, there was a small fort on the estate. This fort helped protect local people from attacks during conflicts like the Esopus Wars. In 1675, during King Philip's War, the local military leader was told to build a strong fence around this fort.
The fields and buildings at Crailo were often used by British and colonial soldiers. This happened as early as 1694 and many times during the French and Indian Wars.
Building the Manor House
Hendrick van Rensselaer, who was Kiliaen's grandson, inherited the property. He built the main house in 1707. His son, Johannes, became a captain in the colonial military. Captain van Rensselaer took over Crailo in 1740.
The house likely had small openings for guns added after 1746. This was because a group of 80 French and Native American fighters attacked Greenbush, killing some people. People in Albany watched from across the river but couldn't cross in time to help.
In 1751 and 1754, Captain van Rensselaer helped the soldiers in Albany and Schenectady. He provided them with candles and firewood. The house was made even bigger in 1762. The small gun openings on the first floor show that the house was built to be a strong defense.
The "Yankee Doodle" Connection
Fort Crailo is famous for a fun story about the song "Yankee Doodle". It's said that in 1755, a British Army doctor named Richard Shuckburgh was staying at the house. He supposedly wrote the song to playfully make fun of the New England colonial soldiers. These soldiers were fighting alongside the British during the French and Indian Wars.
Fort Crailo Today
Fort Crailo was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1961. This means it's a very important place in American history.
Today, the State of New York runs Fort Crailo as a museum. It teaches visitors about the Dutch culture in New York State during colonial times. You can see old clothes, furniture, household items, and decorations. There are also artifacts found from old Dutch sites in New York and New Jersey. Many items from the Fort Orange archaeological dig in the early 1970s are on display.
Gallery
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Fort Crailo in 1907
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Fort Crailo in a historic photo from around 1940
See also
