Senate House


  • Address: Clinton Ave
  • Vicinity: NW side of Clinton Ave near jct with N Front St
  • Travel Genus: Sight , Visit
  • Sight Category: Museums

In 1777, a year after Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence proclaimed the 13 American colony's freedom from English rule, this limestone building housed the first meeting of New York's newly organized State Senate. A government on the run being chased north from New York City by the British Army, the state government moved to Kingston in February of 1777, and took up residence in the Ulster County Courthouse in order to create a formal state constitution. The delegates approved the state's first constitution in April of 1777, and held elections in June. While the Supreme Court remained in the Courthouse and the Assembly met in a local tavern, the Senate convened its first session in the generously-offered old stone home of Abraham VanGaasbeck. Built in 1676 only 12 years after the British assumed control of New York from the Dutch, the house reflects both the building traditions of the original Dutch colonists and the gradual acceptance of English construction styles. - NPS


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Senate House
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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1676/00/00 Col Wessel Wesselsen Ten Broeck Home Senate House is built for Wessel Ten Broeck.
1777/10/16 Abraham VanGaasbeck's house burns when British forces set fire to every house in Kingston Burning of Kingston, New York, 1777

Data »

Particulars for Senate House:
Sight Category Building
Criteria Historic Event
Area of Significance Politics-government
Historic Use Single dwelling
Owner State



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 12th August 1971

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Senate House
Registry Address: NW side of Clinton Ave. near jct. with N. Front St.
Registry Number: 71000564
Resource Type: Building
Owner: State
Architect: unknown
Architectural Style: No style listed
Certification: Listed in the National Register
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: State
Area of Significance: Politics-government
Applicable Criteria: Event
Period of Significance: 1750-1799
Significant Year: 1777
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-Function: Single dwelling
Current Function: Recreation and Culture
Current Sub-Function: Museum

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