Touring the Schenectady Stockade Historic District
A bit of background on the Schenectady Stockade: In 1661, Arendt Van Curler (Dutch) left the village of Beverwyck (now Albany) to settle, some 16 miles west, along the Mohawk River.
The Bier Abby is nestled in a row of brown stones and is within walking distance of Union College. In fact many students walked by, in shorts and flip flops, on this the first day to hit 70 degrees. My husband’s burger and my pastrami sandwich tasted delicious, and my local hard cider, 9 Pin Hard Cider, was yummy.
We parked near the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, founded by the first Dutch Settlers around 1680. The building you see here was built in 1862 after a broom fire on Cucumber Alley destroyed the prior 1814 structure. The current building, in high Gothic Revival style. was built out of purple-gray brownstone.
I think the ornate iron work on this oak door is just beautiful.
Built prior to 1700 by Hendrick Brouwer, this house at 14 N. Church Street is believed to be the oldest in the city. It underwent a Federal style makeover in 1850, which is why it doesn’t look Dutch. It contains numerous secret closets, hide-away rooms, and an underground passage leading to the river.
A close up of the shutter and lantern.
26 Front Street, the birthplace of Governor Joseph Yates (1768), was constructed in 1735. However, the entire front and interior were remodeled in 1891 in the Victorian style.
I felt one of the most interesting aspects of this home was the wrought iron fencing. Love!
We turned the corner off of Front St. onto Ferry and could see the impressive St. George’s Episcopal Church up ahead on our left. Thought to be the oldest church building in Schenectady, construction began in 1759 in the English Georgian style.
This gorgeous cast iron fence surrounds the church building.
One of the first signs of spring, snowdrops always remind me of England because their arrival is always heralded. All botanical milestones are fully appreciated on the British Isles (smile).
The shapes of these ancient grave stones differ so from those we currently use. These are so elegant, and the script, of course is so beautiful. All from a bygone era.
I just can’t get enough of this stone work, and the window, just beautiful.
This is Lawrence, a Mohawk Indian, who took pity on the survivors of the 1690 Algonquin-British massacre, and encouraged them to rebuild, which they did. He’s located in the middle of a tiny round-about right in the Stockade.
The entrance to Governor Joseph Yates’ house, where he lived after serving the State of New York.
The green flower box, black shutter, and weathered brick together.
Some brave soul had already planted their flower boxes with pansies…You’ll receive access to my new MEMBER LIBRARY
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This looks like a lovely place to visit, and so much history!
It was lovely 🙂
Wow Diana, thanks for the tour! Looks like a perfect way to spend an afternoon. You're quite the photographer too.
Marie @ The Interior Frugalista
It was a great day. Thanks for the compliment, Marie 🙂
What a fun tour! I'm with your husband on a bite to eat and a 'drink' before a tour! LOL!!
hugs,
Linda
Ha!
I walked around the Stockade district with my daughter one day when I messed up where they actually live in Schenectady. There is a great park there along the Mohawk River. I need to go back down & walk around when I know what I am looking for. The same friends held their wedding reception at the Stockade Inn last June.
I'm sharing this on my Town of Greenwich facebook page. Nice tour. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Yes, you can walk right down to the river, Tisha. It wasn't very pretty the day we walked down–pretty muddy and barren looking, that's why no pics of the river. Thanks for sharing the post 🙂
What beautiful photos. You tour the most charming places. Always a joy to visit your blog.
Thank you Andrea–so sweet 🙂 The feeling is mutual!
Let me just say that this is my kind of day!!! Oh how I love history…..anything old with a story! Those homes are just exquisite! I would really like to walk these streets one day with it being concentrated with so many old historic homes! Very cool!! And I hope you had a wonderful Easter friend! Wishing you an awesome weekend!!! Nicole xoxo
Something else we have in common, Nicole 🙂 Yes, Easter was lovely–hope yours was as well. Blessings, this week, Diana
You make me home sick. But, sure was nice touring Schenectady . I lived in Upstate Ny & Vt my Home town. So, I really enjoyed my time with you.
Thanks Dawn. I really do love living in upstate NY, and my mother's from VT so we go their quite often to visit family. Glad you enjoyed your visit here 🙂
Oh my what lovely beauty you shared! For while I lived in Plattsburgh N.Y. and often miss it. Have a beautiful weekend.
OMGoodness! I'm from a small town outside of Plattsburg! And my mother lives on the old Air Force Base. Small world.Hope your week is blessed.
Oh, how lovely! I'm so glad this historic area has been preserved. Loved the photos and the history!
Yes, they have quite an active community group. Glad you enjoyed your visit, Mary Ann. Have a great week, Diana
Amazing tour – great photos! I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Hi Diana! I saw you over at Wow Us Wednesday and popped in to see you! Wonderful tour and guess what? My daughter and her family live in Niskayuna and we've just returned from there spending Easter with our little grandchildren. I scrolled through your blog and saw you live in Colonie. My husband and I had lunch one day in the little diner there! It's such a beautiful area!
Hope you'll pop in to see me sometimes.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
thank you for offering free Bibles to those that need one. Our church has several ministries with men/women that are homeless / in shelters. We have several of the men now attending our church. Their van and one of our church men drive them to church. Bibles are needed. Even on sale they cost. And if a person gets the paperback Bibles they have such tiny writing. I hope that does not sound unappreciative of God's Word for others. So I am making it a mission for myself to find Bibles for them. There was a great sale on covers and I picked up several I want their Bibles to be special ; and for them to learn to Love and Study God's Word. Enjoying your blog , thank you.