North Blenheim in Schoharie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Manor House
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 27, 2008
1. Manor House Marker - North Blenheim, NY
Manor House
Built by John Lansing
about 1800. Justice of
N.Y. Supreme Court, 1790-1801;
Chancellor 1801-14. Owner
part of Blenheim Patent.
Erected 1936 by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location. 42° 26.925′ N, 74° 28.079′ W. Marker is in North Blenheim, New York, in Schoharie County. Marker is on New York State Route 30, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Blenheim NY 12131, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Blenheim-Gilboa Bluebird Trail (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gen. Freegift Patchin (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Long Path (approx. 1½ miles away); Town of Gilboa (approx. 1½ miles away); Indian Trail (approx. 1½ miles away); Old Blenheim Bridge (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Re-Creation (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Floods (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Blenheim.
Regarding Manor House. Lansing Manor was built in 1819 by John Lansing, who was quite wealthy. He owned a large estate at Lansingburg
this page online
Lansing never lived in the manor. He built it for his daughter, Frances, and her husband, the Honorable Jacob Sutherland. The manor reflects the well to do lifestyle of Anglo-Dutch landowners. The Sutherlands owned the manor estate until 1836. Essentially, only four families occupied the Lansing Manor in its one hundred fifty-three years as a private residence. Dr. David Rosseter and his wife, Sarah, enjoyed the estate from 1849 through 1861 when they sold it to E.Y. Spring. Beech Wood Farm, as it was named by the spring family, became a successful farm and dairy operation. In 1911, they sold the estate to Luther Mattice. Sixty-one years later, in 1972 the Mattice heirs sold the farm to
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 27, 2008
2. Manor House Marker
The Lansing Manor House marker is posted at the side of Route 30 beside the driveway which leads to the New York State Power Authority's Blenheim-Gilboa
Visitors Center. The roof and multiple chimneys of the Lansing Manor house can be seen in the distance.
The house is a Federal style brick structure incased in wood siding and has changed little since 1819. At one time, black cherry trees lined the drive were carriages would approach the front, graced by a large fountain. Water was supplied to both the house and the fountain through a series of buried "Pipes" which were cedar logs with a hole bored through the center, allowing water to flow. The logs carried the water from a spring on the opposite hill. The home also had its own well with a winch that hauled up a bucket full of water at a time. Later, in the 1900's, Beech Wood Farm operated its own carbide gas plant for lighting the house and barns. Electricity was not installed until the 1940's.
An interesting story, handed down by the Spring family, is a tale of their Newfoundland dog. A large sized breed, the canine was harnessed to a butter churn and by circling around the barrel to turn the inner paddles would make the family's butter. However, the dog was clever enough to sense when the regular day for the chore approached and would promptly disappear the night before. Since the dog was expected to "pull his weight" on the farm, he was confined the night before to ensure his appearance in the morning.
Beside the house and barns there are a number of other outbuildings clustered around which were important for taking
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 27, 2008
3. Lansing Manor House
The Lansing Manor house is operated by the New York Power Authority in cooperation with the Schoharie County Historical Society and open for tours with guides who can detail all the history of the manor and the surrounding area. A history buff's dream come true, Lansing Manor is filled with authentic furnishings from the first half of the 19th century.
Also see . . . Visit Blenheim-Gilboa. NYS Power Authority website entry (Submitted on September 28, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. John Lansing Jr. Cenotaph
Mr. Lansing (mysteriously disappeared on 12 Dec 1829) is reported to be memorialized with a cenotaph in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, NY. Despite numerous web attributions to the cenotaph, it could not be located on our last visit—even with the assistance of very helpful cemetery office personnel. Anyone with a photograph of the memorial is encouraged to add it to this page.
— Submitted November 5, 2011, by Wayne Wilson of Fairfax, Virginia.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 27, 2008
4. Lansing Manor House
This is the back side of the Lansing Manor House.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 27, 2008
5. Lansing Manor House On National Register
The Lansing Manor House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 25, 1973
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 27, 2008
6. National Register Plaque Location on Manor House
The National Register Plaque is located on the side of the manor house which faces the barn/visitor center, on the foundation between the basement window and the shrub in the photo above.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 3,056 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 28, 2008, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
