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 a special place in Rotterdam Junction, New York. It is home to the Mabee House, which is the oldest house still standing in the entire Mohawk Valley. This historic site is located along New York State Highway 5S, about 6 miles west of Schenectady.
The property includes the original stone Mabee House, built in 1705. There is also a brick house from the 1760s and an old inn from the 1790s. The farm sits right next to the Mohawk River. In 1993, the entire property was given to the Schenectady County Historical Society.
A large Dutch barn from the 1760s was moved to the site in 1997. It was carefully restored and now stands proudly at Mabee Farm. Today, the site offers many fun and educational programs for everyone to enjoy. In 2007, more land was added, and a new education center opened in 2011.
The Mabee Farm's Story
The land where Mabee Farm stands was first bought in 1671 by Daniel Janse Van Antwerpen. He purchased it from the Mohawk people. In 1680, he received an official grant for the land from the English Governor.
In 1705, Daniel sold part of the farm to Jan Pieterse Mabee and his wife, Anna Borsboom. The original paper for this sale, along with many other old documents and items, is now kept by the Schenectady County Historical Society.
The oldest buildings on the farm are the stone house, the half-brick house, and an inn. The inn was built before the Erie Canal and was once a place where travelers could stay. A famous general from the Revolutionary War, Philip Schuyler, even stayed there in 1792. Sadly, the farm's original barns were destroyed by fires in the 1870s and 1970s.
There is also a family cemetery on the property with 21 gravestones dating back to 1771. A special marker honors the enslaved people who lived, worked, and died at the site.
George Franchere was the last person from the Mabee family to own the farm. In 1993, he generously gave the site to the Schenectady County Historical Society. He wanted it to be a museum and a place for learning. Since then, many people have worked hard to keep the farm special. They preserve the buildings and items, and create programs to teach visitors about the family's history, farming, and the Mohawk Valley.
Visiting the Historic Site
The Mabee Farm Historic Site is a great place to visit. It includes the old Jan Mabee and Anna Borsboom House, the Brick building, and the Inn. These buildings are on 9 acres of land in Rotterdam Junction, NY. George E. Franchere gave this land to the Schenectady County Historical Society in 1993.
Experts used a method called dendrochronology (studying tree rings) to find out that the oldest part of the Mabee House was built around 1705. This makes it the oldest known building in the Mohawk Valley that hasn't been changed much. The site also has a 1760s Nilsen Dutch Barn, a smaller English barn, and other small buildings.
In 2007, the Historical Society got 27 more acres next to the site. This land was used to build the George Eugene Franchere Education Center. This large, three-level building opened in 2011. It allows the site to be open all year long!
The Franchere Center has space for different history and art exhibits. It also has a big hall for lectures, a meeting room, and a gift shop. There are also offices and work areas for staff and volunteers. The building uses special geothermal pumps and solar panels to help power it. In 2009, the Historical Society also gained 9 acres across the Mohawk River. This helps protect the beautiful views of the historic area.
The Mabee Farm is located on the south side of the Mohawk River, which is now also part of the New York State Barge Canal. The farm has its own dock. Two special boats called bateaux, named De Sager and Bobbie G, are kept there. These boats were built for the Mabee Farm. A replica of the ship Onrust was also built here from 2006 to 2009. This was in time for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's journey to what became New Netherland.
The Mabee Farm Historic Site is open all year. You can take guided tours of the old buildings or explore the exhibits in the Franchere Center on your own. Over 15,000 people visit the site every year!
