The Columbia County Historical Society offers several beautiful historic settings over 40 acres in Kinderhook, New York. Enjoy a more rustic setting on the grounds of the National Historic Landmark Luykas Van Alen House (c1737) or impress your guests with the splendor of the c.1819 James Vanderpoel 'House of History', a Federal era mansion in the center of an historic and quaint village.

Coming soon--venue/catering packages.

THANK YOU so very much for considering
our historic properties
for your special day and event!
Forty Acres Of Columbia County Landscape
​Your Choice Of Village Or Rural Bliss
Two Historic Properties on Forty Acres of Land The Vanderpoel 'House of History' and the Lukyas Van Alen farmstead each represent very unique and distinct aspects of Columbia County history.

For more than one-hundred years, the Columbia County Historical Society, has worked with the community to preserve and present the history, heritage and culture of Columbia County, New York.
Please review the details below of your two distinct property options and let us know which property best encompasses your vision for your special event:

1) 1800’s Village elegance
c.1819 James Vanderpoel 'House of History'
16 Broad Street, Kinderhook, NY
Set on ten acres and built during the Federal era as the home of prominent area lawyer and politician, James Vanderpoel (b. 1787) and his family, the property is now an exhibit space featuring galleries of paintings and decorative arts from the CCHS permanent collection.

The light-filled home features a large, elegant central hall with a floating elliptical staircase, vaulted ceilings, large windows and graceful architectural details throughout, including elaborate decorations of high paneled and fluted baseboards and an architrave above the door.

This lovely home in the historic Village of Kinderhook is situated on several private acres and features an extensive flat, west lawn edged by a natural meadow and mature trees.

Available for your wedding and reception:

• Spacious private west lawn. . .ideal for large event tents and dance floor. Outdoor electricity on-site.
• Three (3) elegant first floor gallery rooms and spacious, vaulted central hall for cocktails and mingling among the historical exhibits.
• Musicians' balcony/gallery overlooking the central hall
• Lady Columbia’s Green Room, an intimate second floor room for last minute preparation and private moments or in anticipation of the bridal descent of the regal floating staircase (coming Fall 2019)
• Below Stairs historic Virginia kitchen Dining Room accommodating up to 40 guests
• Below Stairs kitchen for caterers “warm up” with residential stove/oven and refrigerator
• Ladies and gentlemen’s restrooms below stairs
• Parking on street for approximately 100 vehicles
• Venue Manager and staff on site “day of”. . . staff size varies with your specific event plans and number of guests. Docent available for questions and tours.

2) 1700’s Dutch Farmstead
1737 Luykas Van Alen House

. . . a truly unique historical experience for you and your guests.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967, the Luykas Van Alen house is a restored house museum epitomizing rural Dutch farm life in the Hudson River Valley in the 1700’s.

Lauded as “...one of the most authentic examples of early Dutch architecture remaining in the United States.” by philanthropist and former Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller.

The unique, rustic Dutch home and bucolic surroundings were selected by Director Martin Scorsese for his award-winning adaptation of Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence, with Daniel Day Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Adjacent to the Van Alen farmstead is the circa 1850 white clapboard Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse, a local one-room school. Author Washington Irving's Sleepy Hollow character 'Ichabod Crane', was modeled after his lifelong friend and the original area schoolmaster, Jesse Merwin.

Also available on the property is the Dutch Farming Heritage Trail linking the Luykas Van Alen property with the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, 'Lindenwald'.

Available for your wedding and reception:

• Park-like expansive west lawn and towering black locust grove provide an exceptionally bucolic setting for event and caterer tents and dance floor. Outdoor electricity on-site.
• Cocktails and mingling inside and out of the Van Alen farmstead
• Historical tours of the farmstead’s unique architectural features, together with the lively story of 1700’s Dutch rural lifestyle, will entertain and involve your guests in a truly unique historical experience,
• Wedding party preparation and privacy available in our adjacent Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse or include the schoolhouse on guided tours for your guests
• A “country” unisex restroom is available for your guests
• Front-of-property parking field for approximately 100 vehicles
• Venue Manager and staff on site “day of”. . . staff size varies with your specific event plans and number of guests.

References for area event planners provided at your request

Would you like to schedule a visit ?

Please let us know. . . We would be pleased to arrange for your visit to the Vanderpoel House or the Lukyas Van Alen House on a Saturday morning or at your convenience.