Needless to say the house is of great historic significance--for its age and its association with people who played a role in Hudson's history and because it is a rare surviving example of kind of rural house that was characteristic of the upper Hudson Valley in the first half of the 18th century, a half-century before the American Revolution. So, when a reader contacted me earlier this week to share a rumor he'd heard that the new owner of the trailer park--and the historic house as well--considered the house a liability and wanted it moved or demolished, I set out to investigate further, with the intention of raising the alarm on behalf of the house if the rumor were true or quelling the anxiety if it were not true.
My quest for information led me to historian Ruth Piwonka, who provided an introduction to Ed Klingler, the president of the Van Hoesen House Historical Foundation. Klingler assured me that most of what I had heard was "speculation and rumor." He told me that he has been working with the new owner of the trailer park (and the house) since February to develop a plan to preserve the house in its current and historic location. The first step is to construct a security fence around to structure "to alleviate his insurance company's liability concerns." Through the summer, work will be done to stabilize the porch and other elements of the building's envelope. Under discussion, too, is the possibility of the Van Hoesen House Historical Foundation (VHHHF) assuming official stewardship of the house, either by a lease agreement or ownership. Klingler stressed that the new owner of property has a genuine interest in saving the house and concluded, "Now it's up to all of us who care deeply about its preservation to step up and do just that."
VHHHF is planning to launch a major fund-raising campaign in the fall. In the meantime, contributions to the protection and preservation of the three-hundred-year-old house can be made to Van Hoesen House Historical Foundation, PO Box 254, Claverack, NY 12513. VHHHF is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.
COPYRIGHT 2017 CAROLE OSTERINK
The house has long been recognized at the Federal, State, and Town level. In 1979 the Van Hoesen House was listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places (one for the first to be listed in Columbia County). Beginning in 2005, the Van Hoesen House Historical Foundation was established and in 2009 the Preservation League of New York State listed the house on the Seven to Save. Last year, legislation was approved in Albany (with the help of Didi Barrett) to list the Claverack, Agawamuck, and Taghkanic Creeks as Inland Waterways. This allowed the Town of Claverack Historic Preservation Advisory Committee to apply for (and was successful in obtaining) a CFA Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) grant to help plan for waterfront revitalization along the three creeks including the Claverack Creek waterfront adjacent to the Van Hoesen House. (The program is the administered by the Department of State and carried out in partnership with local governments and state and federal agencies and makes it easier to obtain additional historical and environmental grants). The previous owner made it difficult to make progress until the mobile home park and historic house were recently sold to the current owner who is now willing to essentially give the house to the Van Hoesen House Historical Foundation. This is, indeed, very good news.
ReplyDeleteI often drive by the Van Hoesen House and more and more lately I feel so strongly that the building needs to be save for its historic importance. I am so glad to learn that there is foundation just for that. I will be donating and offering any support I can give. Perhaps the Hudson Area Library History Room can lend some support and exposure for the foundation to get more assistance. I will reach out to Mr. Klinger. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI have been told that the Van Hoesen House was owned by Charles Marriott (a well-known abolitionist) and his star Margaret M. Hyatt in the 1800's. I found a portion of an 1838 letter from Marriott on Fergus Bordewich's site: “Many fugitives from the South effect their escape. 3 passed through my hands last week.” stating Marriott's personal activity helping slaves on the Underground Railroad. He died in 1843 (I have his obituaries and his will from the Athenaeum Library and it seems he was in the Van Hoesen House then) so it seems likely he was in the house in 1838 also. Can anyone verify that? The history with the Underground Railroad seems like another reason to save this building.
ReplyDeleteI am an Underground Railroad historian. I have recently been in touch with Fergus Bordewich. This appears to be the building he identified in 2005 as having been owned by Charles Marriott. Where is the Anthenaeum Library?
ReplyDeleteI was referring to the Berkshire Anthenaeum: http://www.pittsfieldlibrary.org/. A researcher from the Hudson Area Library's History Room gave me the copies he found in the Anthenaeum of what I referred to in the comment above. If you find out anything further about this or have information on Underground Railroad activity in Columbia County I would be very interested in this information and can be reached at the Hudson Area Library: programs@hudsonarealibrary.org. Thanks and good luck!
ReplyDelete