Historic Mabee Farm: A Dutch Gem (Part I)
Just as spring broke forth in the Mohawk Valley last April, my sweet husband and I visited an old Dutch estate–Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction (NY).
Pieter Mabee acquired the property from another Dutchman in 1705. Pieter and his wife, Anna, moved from the Schenectady Stockade, built the stone house, and raised their ten children on the farm.
A brief history lesson: In 1609, Henry Hudson, an Englishman, sailed on a voyage of discovery for the Dutch–eleven years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. He sailed the Hudson River from New York City to Albany [where I live] and claimed it for the Dutch, calling it “New Netherlands.”
By 1663, the English acquired New Netherlands from the Dutch in a bloodless coup, but the rich Dutch culture remained deeply embedded in the region for many generations.
Here you see a side-view of the 1702 Dutch farmhouse, the oldest still standing in the Mohawk Valley. The steeply pitched roof is a common Dutch design element.
The last member of the Mabee family, generously donated the site, along with important documents and family heirlooms, to the State of New York in 1993.
The exterior architectural elements indicate the age of the structure.
Some of the furniture and other pieces inside the farmhouse belonged to the Mabee family.
The Dutch are known for “jambless” fireplaces, that is, hearths without sides or “jambs,” but I only had success photographing the English-style fireplace you see here with its rich red tones and dentil molding.
In the hearth sits a mended bowl, such a foreign concept in our disposable age.
Next to the fireplace, a box for firewood, with a buttery coat of time-worn paint.
In the same room a large armoire with fascinating butterfly hinges, displaying an antique band box.
The bright sunlight through the window gives the bedroom a dreamy look. Isn’t the massive headboard a beauty?
The chamber pot makes me grateful for modern conveniences…
The view out the tavern window of some of the barns and outbuildings. We’ll take a closer look at them in Mabee Farm: Part II.
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Diana, your photography and eye for the wonderful primitive details here are breathtaking. Thank you for sharing.
What a great place. The history and wonderful pieces are amazing. Loved this can’t wait for part II
Thank you. I’m unlikely to ever go to that part of the country so it is nice if you to share.
Oh, Diana, another wonderful tour of history. 1702…my oh my. The oldest anything around here in the upper midwest is like 1830 maybe. Really love your pictures. UM, on the repaired bowl…I actually saw a plastic bumper sewn together with drilled holes and lacing —-quite ingenious really, so perhaps there is hope for our species, yet. Sandi
What a wonderful tour Diana and your photos are stunning! Sharing on FB 😉
Diana, I love all the photos but especially the one looking through the wavy glass. You have a fantastic eye for what the camera loves. Can’t wait for part II.
Oh, Diana, what a great trip … my kind of sight-seeing. I love old barns … made-do mended wooden bowls … and old wood doors with interesting hardware. Thanks for sharing your trip and your knowledge of the history.
Audrey Z.
I was quite interested in hearing the name “Mabee.” I was married into a family named “Mebius,” which is similar. Love the old farmhouse! You have a lot of history in your area.
I enjoyed taking the tour with you and learning about the history.
Beautiful! Love all the old wooden items. And the mended bowl. Thank you for sharing sights that I may never see for myself.
How gorgeous! Love all of your photos. By the way, I have trouble commenting on your blog because it continues to scroll up. Has anyone else ever mentioned this? It only happens on this site. It never happened on your old blog. A Wordpress challenge perhaps?
Fascinating! Amazing to see a structure and items that age. Great photographs! Loved the mended bowl and butterfly hinges.
Diana, thanks for the tour! I love visiting historic buildings. We just visited one on the west coast that was built in 1885 — “old” isn’t quite as *old* there as it is on the east coast! 😀