Crailo State Historic Site

Fort Crailo
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Front elevation and north profile, with work underway on entrance walkway, in 2010
Location	9½ Riverside Ave, Rensselaer, NY
Coordinates	42°38′7.72″N 73°44′58.65″W / 42.6354778°N 73.7496250°W / 42.6354778; -73.7496250Coordinates: 42°38′7.72″N 73°44′58.65″W / 42.6354778°N 73.7496250°W / 42.6354778; -73.7496250
Built	c. 1712
Architectural style	Colonial, Dutch Colonial
Governing body	New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
NRHP Reference #	66000563
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHL	November 11, 1961[2]

Crailo State Historic Site, is a historic, fortified brick manor house in Rensselaer, New York which was originally part of a large patroonship held by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, c. 1585–1643. Crailo is a Dutch word meaning Crow's Woods (Kraaien bos), and refers to the Rensselaer's Estate in Huizen, Holland, also named Crailo.^[3]

History

This property was inherited by Hendrick van Rensselaer, Kilian's grandson, who built the house in 1707. It was expanded in 1762. Starting as early as 1663 through the 18th century, this site had become synonymously known as Greenbush. At various times, the grounds were used as a campground for British and colonial troops.^[4]

It is reportedly the place where, in 1755, British Army surgeon Richard Shuckburgh, quartered in the home, wrote the ditty "Yankee Doodle" to mock the colonial troops who fought with the British in the French and Indian Wars.

Fort Crailo was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.^[2][5]

It is operated by the State of New York as the only museum of the Colonial Dutch in New York State. Exhibits include clothing, furniture, household and decorative items, and archaeological artifacts from "New Netherland" historic sites in New York and New Jersey. Addresses given for the house include 9½ Riverside.

Gallery

• Fort Crailo in 1663

• Fort Crailo in HABS photo, c. 1940

References

External links

Commons has media related to Fort Crailo.

• Historic American Building Survey
• Crailo State Historic Site (Official Site), at NYSOPRHP
• New York State Military Museum article
• Hudson Valley Voyager article
• another National Park Service site
• nl:Crailo Dutch World Heritage Encyclopedia, Crailo.

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