Poestenkill in Rensselaer County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A President with Poestenkill Connections
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 11, 2020
1. A President with Poestenkill Connections Marker
In 1855 James A. Garfield, while a student at Williams College, preached in the Church of Christ, Disciples. The church occupied the rear of this site facing the "back street". Garfield also taught penmanship to children in a room on the second floor of the union hall. The union hall was at the corner just west of here.
Garfield was born on November 19, 1831 in Mentor, Ohio. He became the 20th President of the United States in 1881 but died of a gunshot wound on September 19, 1881 after only 6 months in office.
Erected 2002 by Friends of Poestenkill History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1881.
Location. 42° 41.391′ N, 73° 33.84′ W. Marker is in Poestenkill, New York, in Rensselaer County. It is at the intersection of Plank Road and New York State Route 351, on the left when traveling east on Plank Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Poestenkill NY 12140, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Poestenkill War Memorial (approx. 0.4
this page online
More about this marker. The union hall would have been to the left of the marker.
Also see . . .
1. James Garfield. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 13, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
2. Essays on James Garfield Life. From the Miller Center at University of Virginia (Submitted on April 13, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 11, 2020
2. The Rear of the Present Site
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 11, 2020
3. Marker is by the Library
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 1,053 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide angle photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
