Mabee House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mabee Farm Historic Site
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Mabee House, 2017
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | S of Rotterdam Junction on NY 5S, Rotterdam Junction, New York |
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| Area | 9.6 acres (3.9 ha) |
| Built | 1705 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001907 |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 1978 |
The Mabee Farm Historic Site is home to the Mabee House. This house is the oldest one still standing in the Mohawk Valley region of New York. It's part of the Schenectady County Historical Society.
You can find the Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction, New York. This small community is in the town of Rotterdam, New York. It's located along New York State Highway 5S. The farm is about 6 miles west of the city of Schenectady.
The property sits right by the Mohawk River. It includes the original stone Mabee House, built in 1705. There's also a brick house from the 1760s and an inn from the 1790s. A family cemetery is also on the grounds.
The Mabee Farm was given to the Schenectady County Historical Society in 1993. In 1997, a special Dutch barn from the 1760s was moved here. It was carefully restored and rebuilt at the farm. Today, the site offers many fun and educational programs for everyone. In 2007, more land was added. This new area is now home to the George E. Franchere Education Center, which opened in 2011.
A Look Back: The Farm's History
The land where Mabee Farm stands was first bought in 1671. Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen purchased it from the Mohawk people. He received an official grant for the land in 1680. This grant came from the English Governor Edmund Andros.
In 1705 or 1706, Van Antwerpen sold half of the farm to Jan Pieterse Mabee. Jan and his wife, Anna Borsboom, were friends and neighbors. The original paper showing this sale is now with the Schenectady County Historical Society. They also have many other old documents and artifacts from the farm.
The oldest buildings on the farm include the stone house. There's also a wooden inn built before the Erie Canal. A famous general, Philip Schuyler, even stayed there in 1792. He was surveying for a company that built canals. The farm also has a half-brick house. Sadly, the original barns burned down in the 1870s and 1970s.
There is a family cemetery on the property. It has 21 gravestones, with the oldest from 1771. There is also a special marker. It honors the enslaved people who lived, worked, and died at the Mabee Farm.
George Franchere was the last family member to own the Mabee House. In 1993, he gave the site to the Schenectady County Historical Society. He wanted it to be a museum and a place for learning. Many family members, staff, and volunteers have worked hard. They preserve the property and its artifacts. They also create programs and events. These programs teach visitors about the family, farming, and the history of the Mohawk Valley.
Mabee Farm: A Living Museum Today
The Mabee Farm Historic Site covers about 9 acres. It includes the Jan Mabee and Anna Borsboom House, the Brick building, and the Inn. George E. Franchere donated these to the Schenectady County Historical Society in 1993.
Experts from Cornell University studied the main house. They found that the oldest part was built around 1705. This makes it the oldest known building in the Mohawk Valley that hasn't been changed much.
In addition to the main house, the site has other buildings. There's the Nilsen Dutch Barn from the 1760s. There's also a smaller English barn and several other small buildings.
In 2007, the Historical Society bought 27 more acres next to the farm. This land was used to build the George Eugene Franchere Education Center. This large, three-level building opened in 2011. It allows the Mabee Farm to be open all year long.
The Franchere Center has space for history and art exhibits. It also has a big lecture hall that can seat 150 people. There's a conference room, a gift shop, and offices for staff. It also has storage for artifacts and work areas for volunteers. The building is also eco-friendly. It uses geothermal pumps powered by solar panels on the picnic pavilion.
In 2009, the Historical Society also bought 9 acres across the Mohawk River. This was done to protect the beautiful views from the farm.
The Mabee Farm is next to the Mohawk River. This river is also part of the New York State Barge Canal. The farm has a dock. This dock is home to two special boats called bateaux. Their names are the De Sager and the Bobbie G. They were built by the Alplaus Maritime Academy just for the Mabee Farm.
A replica ship called the Onrust was also built here. It was constructed from 2006 to 2009. It was ready in time for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage. That voyage led to the founding of New Netherland.
The Mabee Farm Historic Site welcomes over 15,000 visitors every year. You can take guided tours of the old buildings. Or, you can explore the exhibits in the Franchere Center on your own. It's a great place to learn about history!
