Kinderhook in Columbia County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Bustling Household
Martin Van Buren Nat’l Hist Site
— National Park Service —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
1. A Bustling Household Marker
Lindenwald seems quiet today, but when Martin Van Buren lived here there was a stream of family, friends and political colleagues constantly coming and going. There was also an ever-changing mix of agricultural and domestic employees. Some workers were native born, many were immigrants, most were white, some were black. Years of use by the domestic help left indelible wear patterns on the tower stairs just as surely as the different members of the household left impressions on one another.
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.
Location. 42° 22.205′ N, 73° 42.236′ W. Marker is in Kinderhook, New York, in Columbia County. Marker is on Old Post Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is 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
this page online
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a photo looking up at the tower inside of Lindenwald. Also present on the marker are three photographs. One depicts Van Buren’s grandchildren and has a caption of “Martin Van Buren delighted in his grandchildren, who spent many summers running through the house and romping over the fields of Lindenwald. Seen here are Martin IV and Eliza, the son and daughter of Smith and Henrietta.” A picture of one of the bedrooms has a caption of “Summers announced the arrival of the Van Buren sons for extended visits. Abraham, John, and Smith, with their wives and children joined Martin Junior, who never married and lived with the President. This is the room of oldest son Abraham and his wife Angelica. The 36-room mansion had plenty of space for the extended family.” The third photo shows a “re-creation of a servant’s room inside Lindenwald. The 1860 census lists six young women as servants, all born in Ireland. In addition, Rose Dalton, a native New Yorker, was a governess. She attended Smith and Henrietta Van Buren’s family of six children living here at the time.”
Also see . . .
1. Biography of Martin Van Buren. The White House website entry (Submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. National Park Service website homepage (Submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
2. Marker at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
3. Lindenwald
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
4. Van Buren Mansion
The tower, the interior of which appears on the marker, can be seen in this photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, June 21, 2012
5. The Main Hall in Lindenwald
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, June 21, 2012
6. Lindenwald's Formal Parlor
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, October 5, 2021
7. A Bustling Household Marker
Now with QR code.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 630 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on June 23, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on October 12, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
