Canterbury Sails by Chasseur: A Day in Kingston, NY

September 6, 2012 Thursday

Kingston, NY is a historically rich city. "Uptown" is the Stockade District with it's historic stone houses from the Dutch settlement that was founded in 1658. These stone houses, made from limestone and material hauled from the fields, are unique to Kingston and the surrounding area and are NOT found anywhere else in North America. The most famous of these stone houses is what is called the "Senate House". The home was owned by a merchant, Abraham van Gaasbeck. To make extra money he opened his house to the state's Senate as a meeting place. The government of New York state was born within it's walls in 1777. Kingston became the first state capital and hosted the Senate, Assembly and Constitional Convention. The British attacked the rebellious town of Kingston and burned most of the city. The stone houses survived all but their wood components and were easily and quickly rebuilt. We had lunch at the "Hoffman House", built prior to 1679, now restored as a restaurant. "Stockade District" refers to the 1200 feet by 1300 foot wall that was built in 3 weeks by the settlers, from tree trunks pounded into the ground, inteded to protect them from the Esopus Indians. It was not very effective.
Uptown Kingston also houses the historic "Old Dutch Church". This church was founded in 1659! The present structure was built in 1852. The church cemetery was most interesting with gravestones dating back at least 1712 or earlier that were readable.
"Downtown" is the waterfront on Rondout Creek. "Chasseur"was docked at the Maritime Museum on the Creek. The museum hosts a lecture series. We attended one of the "Follow the River" lecture series, titled "Who'll Weep for Me: The Rise and Fall of the Poorhouse System in New York, a discussion of the evolution of the social welfare system. A great intentioned program with some very sad history. We have a better understanding of the concept of "poorhouse". Poorhouse residents were buried where what is now the fair grounds. No markers for the poor, just mounds throughout the fair grounds. We did not leave the lecture uplifted, but better informed.

Abraham Van Gaasbeek's home, 1676, AKA "Senate House"

Senate House, front entrance (tour guide in apron)

Anachronistic photo (Look it up), Terry thought this was funny

How the Dutch brought light into the home, glass from wine jugs in the door. this helped beat the taxes on home owners for the number of windows that one would have .