Kingston in Ulster County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Radical Idea: Government by the People
Senate House State Historic Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
1. A Radical Idea: Government by the People Marker
Consider the sacrifices made by ordinary citizens like Abraham van Gaasbeck, who risked his life, family, and property, when he offered his modest stone house as a meeting place for the first New York State Senate in September 1777. Would you have done the same to support America’s fight for freedom?
New York State’s fledgling government, along with Kingston’s civilian population, had to flee the city as the British advanced north from New York City, destroying Hudson Valley homes en route. The British landed in Kingston on October 16, 1777, and burned most of the city. Van Gaasbeek’s house stands as a testament to Kingston’s citizens who were determined to rebuild after the fire and committed to establishing an independent republic.
Today, while visiting Kingston’s museums, shops, and restaurants, follow the Kingston 1777 Trail or tour the city’s historic neighborhoods and discover over four centuries of history and architecture.
Purchase your tickets and start your tour at the Museum.
Albany 19, October 1777
Sir,
With unexampled cruelty, you have reduced the fine village of Kingston to ashes, and most of the wretched inhabitants to ruins. I am also informed, you continue to ravage and burn all before you on both sides of the river … Other Generals … are nowby the fortune of war in my hands; their fortune may one day be yours when, Sir, it may not be in the power of any thing human to save you from the just vengeance of an injured people.
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Portion of a letter written by American General Horatio Gates to British General John Vaughn after the burning of Kingston.
Erected by New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1777.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 56.077′ N, 74° 1.106′ W. Marker was in Kingston, New York, in Ulster County. It was on Clinton Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in the parking lot at the Senate House State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Kingston NY 12401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York and in the Hudson Valley. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: A Radical Idea (here, next to this marker); Senate House (here, next to this marker); The Esopus (a few steps from this marker); The Loughran House (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Centuries of Senate House (within shouting distance
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
2. A Radical Idea: Government by the People Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. The Loughran House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Community Attic (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Evolution of the Senate House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. A photo of the Senate House appears in the center of the marker. The right side of the marker contains a map of the Senate House State Historic Site area, showing the location of the marker and of the Senate House, Museum and Loughran House.
Also see . . .
1. Senate House State Historic Site. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 23, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. enate House State Historic Site. New
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
3. Marker at the Senate House State Historic Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
4. Senate House
This 1676 house was used by the Senate of the State of New York from the fall 1777 until it was burned by the British.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
5. Senate Room
This was the room in which the New York State Senate met in 1777.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 13, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
