Kingston in Ulster County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Evolution of the Senate House
Senate House State Historic Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
1. The Evolution of the Senate House Marker
Wessel Ten Broeck, a Dutch immigrant to New York, built and owned what would become the Senate House. Although only portions of his 1676 house remain, Ten Broecks residence was probably a modest stone house with a steep gabled roof facing the street in the Dutch style. The house passed through the family to Sarah Ten Broeck, who married local businessman Abraham van Gaasbeek in 1751.
After the British attacked and burned Kingston in 1777, Van Gaasbeek made repairs to his damaged house. It was altered a number of times in the 19th century to reflect the prosperity and changing needs of the Van Gaasbeeks. The family retained ownership of the property until 1887, when New York State purchased it as its second historic site.
Erected by New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1676.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 41° 56.104′ N, 74° 1.121′ W. Marker was in Kingston, New York, in Ulster County. It could
this page online
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: Three Centuries of Senate House (here, next to this marker); Senate House (a few steps from this marker); Old Stockade 1658 (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker); Senate House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); The Esopus (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Senate House (within
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
2. The Evolution of the Senate House Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. A Community Attic (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Radical Idea: Government by the People (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 inside of the present Senate House appears at the top of the marker. It has a caption of The Senate House is furnished to the period when Abraham van Gaasbeek offered it as a meeting place for the New York Senate. Next to this is a layout of the house showing the different phases of its expansion. The caption reads This plan of the Senate House foundations identifies the periods of the buildings construction and expansion.
Photos along the bottom of the marker show the Senate House as it appeared in 1883, 1890 and 1970, along with the following captions:
1883 The 19th-century clapboard additions and columned porches at the north and south ends
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
3. Marker at Senate House State Historic Site
The marker is seen here at the back of the Senate House.
1890 The large stone porch and wing were added as caretakers quarters in 1887;
1970 Further renovations occurred between 1948 and 1962. In 1976, the state replaced the copper roof, seen in this photograph, with a more appropriate cedar shingle roof.
Also see . . .
1. Senate House State Historic Site. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 23, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Senate House State Historic Site. New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website entry (Submitted on January 1, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
4. Senate House
The front of the Senate House is seen here from Clinton Avenue.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
5. Parlor in the Senate House
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2012
6. Senate Room in the Senate House
This was the room where the New York State Senate met in the Fall of 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 696 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
