Madam Brett Homestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Madam Catharyna Brett Homestead
|
|
Front side of the house in 2006
|
|
| Location | 50 Van Nydeck Ave., Beacon, NY |
|---|---|
| Built | 1709 |
| Architect | Robert Dengee |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001212 |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 1976 |
The Madam Brett Homestead is a historic house in Beacon, New York. It was built in the early 1700s. This home is the oldest building still standing in southern Dutchess County. It has been recognized as a special place since 1976. It is also part of the NYS Independence Trail.
Contents
Who Was Madam Brett?
Catheryna Rombout Brett (1687–1764) was a very important woman in early New York history. Her father, Francis Rombout, was a successful fur trader and even served as Mayor of New York City. In 1683, her father and his business partner bought a huge area of land. This land, about 85,000 acres, was purchased from the Wappinger Native Americans.
King James II officially recognized this land purchase in 1685. It became known as the Rombout Patent. When Francis Rombout passed away in 1691, Catheryna was his only child. She inherited all of his large estate. You can even see the original document for the Rombout Patent at the Homestead today!
In 1703, when Catheryna was sixteen, she married Roger Brett. He was a respected lieutenant in the British Royal Navy. The Bretts first lived in New York City.
History of the Homestead
Around 1708, the large Rombout Patent land was divided. Catheryna inherited about 28,000 acres of this land. This part was along the Fishkill Creek.
The homestead is named after Catheryna Rombout Brett. She was the first person to start developing this large piece of land by selling parts of it. After her mother passed away, Catheryna and Roger moved from New York City. They built their new home in the wild area of southern Dutchess County around 1709.
Sadly, Roger Brett drowned in the Hudson River. Catheryna became a widow at just 31 years old. She had three young sons to raise. She was a very strong woman. She organized the first group of farmers to sell their crops together. This was a big deal for the Hudson River highlands. Her family lived in the homestead for seven generations, until 1954.
During the American Revolutionary War, the homestead was still owned by Catheryna's granddaughter, Hanna Brett Schenck. The house was used by American soldiers for shelter and storage. Important leaders like George Washington, the Marquis de La Fayette, and Baron von Steuben are said to have visited the house.
Later, in 1800, Catheryna's great-granddaughter, Alice Schenck Teller, bought the house. She and her husband remodeled it. After her husband passed away, the house became a boarding house. It was called "Teller's Villa." Many people from New York City would stay there.
What the Homestead Looks Like
Catheryna Brett sold almost a third of her inherited land before she passed away. Today, the Madam Brett Homestead property is nearly six acres. It has a lovely garden, some woodlands, and a small stream. There's even a very old, large tree on the property!
The homestead has many unique features. It has special hand-carved cedar shingles on the roof. It also has sloped windows on the roof and Dutch doors. The foundation of the house is made from local stone. Inside, you can see wide wooden floors and hand-carved beams. The kitchen has a very large fireplace. The house also has many original pieces of furniture and beautiful old dishes from China.
The Homestead Today
In 1954, there was a plan to tear down the building to build a supermarket. But the Melzingah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution bought it instead. They saved the homestead! Now, it is a museum with seventeen rooms. It helps preserve the history of the area.
The Madam Brett Homestead is located at 50 Van Nydeck Avenue, Beacon, New York. It is very close to Fishkill Creek.
Madam Brett Park
Madam Brett Park is a 12-acre park right next to Fishkill Creek. This creek was very important for the growth of Beacon. Catheryna Rombout Brett and her husband Roger built a gristmill (a mill for grinding grain) along the creek. This mill was a key meeting spot for farmers and Native Americans.
In the 1800s, the creek's power was used by many hat factories. This is why Beacon was once known as "New York's Hat-Making Capital."
Fishkill Marsh, within the park, is home to lots of wildlife. You can find amphibians and animals like muskrats there. It's also a hunting ground for birds like ospreys and bald eagles. Many birds stop here during their long migrations. The park has a boardwalk and viewing platforms. These let you get a closer look at the animals. There's also a waterfall at the east end of the park. It looks amazing in the spring or after heavy rains!
See also
