Schenectady in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Clench's Tavern
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 30, 2006
1. Clench's Tavern Marker
F & AM Formed June 1774 Here
Washington Was Entertained
By Civil and Military
Authorities June 30, 1782
Erected by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1774.
Location. 42° 48.89′ N, 73° 56.936′ W. Marker is in Schenectady, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker is at the intersection of State Street (New York State Route 5) and Washington Ave., on the right when traveling east on State Street. The marker is in Schenectady's Liberty Park, across State Street from the former YMCA. Liberty Park, a memorial park, is small triangular area of 0.20 (two tenths of an acre) bounded on one side by State Street to the North, Washington Ave. on the west side, and Water Street on the south side. . Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Schenectady NY 12305, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. South Shore Road (here, next to this marker); Freemasonry (here, next to this marker); First Site of Old Dutch Church (a few steps from this marker); Southwest Corner of Stockade
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Free Masonry Marker is nearby, also in Liberty Park
Also see . . . A Historical Sketch of St Georges Lodge No. 6 F.&A.M. (Submitted on December 31, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional keywords. Free and Accepted Masons Free & Accepted Masons Freemasonry George Washington was here Schenectady Gateway Plaza Gateway Plaza
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, May 10, 2008
2. Clench's Tavern Marker's Former Location in Liberty Park in Schenectady
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, May 12, 2023
3. Clench's Tavern Marker
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, May 12, 2023
4. Clench's Tavern Marker
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, May 12, 2023
5. Clench's Tavern Marker
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 20, 2009
6. Clench's Tavern Marker
In the background is the intersection of Route 5/State Street and Washington Ave. The enclosed pedestrian bridge that spans Route 5 joins Schenectady County Community College's Elston Hall, the former Hotel Van Curler, with the Center for Science and Technology. SCCC opened the Center for Science and Technology in 1987. The building was donated by the GE Company and formerly housed the WRGB television studio, home to such programs as the Freddie Freihofer Show.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, December 29, 2011
7. Clench's Tavern Marker
The marker, in the foreground, had been across State Street (Rt 5) from the Schenectady YMCA building.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, June 6, 2008
8. Schenectady's Liberty Park
The Clench's Tavern marker, along with a number of other markers, was in Schenectady's Liberty Park, the cluster of trees shown above. Liberty Park, a memorial park, had been a small triangular area of 0.20 (two tenths of an acre) bounded on one side by State Street to the North, Washington Ave. on the west side, and Water Street on the south side.
In May of 2011 the Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature had announced receipt of grant funding for the redevelopment and revitalization of City of Schenectady's lower State Street area. The goal of the project is to create a new gateway to Schenectady by taking a number of steps. The first step is using CDTC and Metroplex funds to develop a plan to redesign the current Liberty Park as Gateway Plaza.
In May of 2011 the Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature had announced receipt of grant funding for the redevelopment and revitalization of City of Schenectady's lower State Street area. The goal of the project is to create a new gateway to Schenectady by taking a number of steps. The first step is using CDTC and Metroplex funds to develop a plan to redesign the current Liberty Park as Gateway Plaza.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 30, 2019
9. Gateway Plaza, New Location of Clench's Tavern Marker; The One on the Left
The Route 5 Transit Gateway Linkage Study had determined prior to November of 2012 that Schenectady's Liberty Park was overgrown, neglected, and suffered from security issues due to the berms in the park, as well as a design which was difficult to maintain. Liberty Park was subsequently redesigned and expanded into Gateway Plaza. During implementation of this plan the seven historic markers in the park were removed, and later, five of the seven were reinstalled. Here we see two of the older markers, along with one new one, in the middle.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,014 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 31, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 9. submitted on December 2, 2019, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
