Senate House State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Senate House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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North elevation, 2007
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kingston, New York |
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| Built | 1676 |
| Architectural style | Dutch Colonial |
| Part of | Kingston Stockade District |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000564 |
| Added to NRHP | August 12, 1971 |
The Senate House State Historic Site is a special place in Kingston, United States. It played a big role during the Revolutionary War. New York's first government leaders met here. They created the state's first constitution on April 20, 1777. The very first New York State Senate held its meetings in this house. It belonged to a local merchant named Abraham Van Gaasbeek. Today, we call it the Senate House.
About a month later, the new government had to leave Kingston. British troops were coming, and they later burned parts of the city on October 16, 1777. Since 1887, the Senate House has been a historic museum. It helps people learn about this important time. The site now has the historic house, a museum building, and other old structures. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation takes care of it.
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What is the Senate House?
The Senate House is a historic building in Kingston, New York. It is famous for being the meeting place of New York's first state Senate. This happened during the American Revolutionary War. The house shows what life was like in the 1700s. It also teaches us about how New York State began.
Why is the Senate House Important?
The Senate House is very important because of its history. It was where New York's first constitution was written. This document set up the rules for the new state government. The house was also the first building in Kingston to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This list includes places that are important to American history.
How Old is the Senate House?
The house was built around 1676. It first belonged to Wessel Wesselse Ten Broeck. He came to America from a place called Westphalia in 1659. We know for sure the house was built before he passed away in 1704. It is a very old and special building.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Senate House is built in a style called Dutch Colonial. This means it looks like houses built by Dutch settlers. The front part of the house is made of stone. The back wall is made of brick. This was a common way to build houses in the Hudson Valley back then.
Inside the Senate House
The ground floor of the house has three rooms. They are lined up along the street. There is a hallway between two of the rooms. When you visit, you can imagine what it was like for the first senators to meet there. You can see how people lived hundreds of years ago.
Senate House as a Museum
Today, the Senate House is a museum. It helps visitors understand the history of New York State. You can explore the old house and learn about the people who lived and worked there. The museum also has exhibits that tell the story of the Revolutionary War. It explains how New York became a state.
What Can You See at the Site?
Besides the historic house, there is a museum building. This building has more information and displays. You can learn about the daily lives of people in the 1700s. You can also discover more about the important events that happened at the Senate House. It's a great place to learn about American history.
See also
- List of New York State Historic Sites
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Ulster County, New York
