Kinderhook in Columbia County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Lindenwald
Martin Van Buren Nat’l Hist Site
— National Park Service —
Welcome to Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. “Lindenwald” was the home and farm of the nation’s eighth president. Martin Van Buren’s life bridged the 80 years between the American War for Independence and the U.S. Civil War, the formative years of the American Republic. He was among the most prominent politicians of his time and an architect of the party system that still shapes American political life.
Politics before the Civil War was a whirlwind of boisterous characters and opposing interest groups. Martin Van Buren positioned himself in the eye of the political storm and in the process helped to found the Democratic Party. He continued to be a central figure in American politics after coming to Lindenwald in 1841. He ran for the presidency twice more from this house.
To learn more about the rough and tumble of American politics when the country was very young as well as the beautiful farmland which is preserved around Lindenwald, please cross Old Post Road to the visitor center to speak with a park ranger about visiting President Van Buren’s home and other activities. House tours are scheduled throughout the day during the visitor season.
Since 1997 the National Park Service has worked with the Open Space Institute (OSI) and other partners to protect President Van Buren’s Lindenwald farm and other land along Kinderhook Creek having historic, agricultural, scenic and recreational value. To date OSI has protected more than 700 acres along Kinderhook Creek, including 125 acres that were originally part of Lindenwald. The surroundings and vistas of Lindenwald appear much as they did when Martin Van Buren lived here, an aesthetically pleasing resource intimately and tangibly related to his life.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #08 Martin Van Buren series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.
Location. 42° 22.234′ N, 73° 42.11′ W. Marker is in Kinderhook, New York, in Columbia County. Marker is on Old Post Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the parking lot on the grounds of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kinderhook NY 12106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Uncovering the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Lindenwald and the Old Post Road (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fertile Political Ground (about 500 feet away); 1849-50 A House Transformed (about 600 feet away); A Bustling Household (about 600 feet away); Marble Mounting Block (about 600 feet away); Lindenwald (about 600 feet away); “… a Farmer in my native Town” (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kinderhook.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker contains a political cartoon with the caption “This 1839 political cartoon commemorates the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Below the title ‘Independence Declared’ are the portraits of the first eight presidents, with Jackson and Van Buren joining hands.” Also present on the marker are a portrait of Van Buren and a map of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site.
Also see . . .
1. Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on November 9, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Biography of Martin Van Buren. The White House website entry (Submitted on December 29, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
3. Van Buren, Martin, National Historic Site - National Park Service. Download National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on January 17, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 9, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on November 12, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on November 9, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on December 29, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on November 9, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on September 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on December 28, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 9. submitted on December 29, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.