Copyright: New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Crailo State Historic Site
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Description - Crailo State Historic Site is a museum of the Dutch in the upper Hudson Valley. Hendrick Van Rensselaer, grandson of the First Patroon, probably built Crailo in the early 18th century. Hendrick died in 1740 and his eldest son, Johannes, inherited Crailo. He remodeled the house and added an east wing in the Georgian style. In the late 18th century, Crailo was remodeled in the Federal style. It served as a boys' boarding school in the 1840's and later as a church rectory. In 1924 Crailo was donated to New York State for development as a museum. The historic site offers brochures, educational services, manicured gardens, group tours, guided tours and a visitor center.
Attractions
- Crailo State Historic Site is a museum of the Dutch in the upper Hudson Valley. Originally a part of the vast landholding called the Manor or Patroonship of Rensselaerswyck, the Crailo farm was named after the Van Rensselaer's estate in the Netherlands, variously spelled Crayloo or Cralo in the 17th century, and meaning "crows' wood" in Dutch. Hendrick Van Rensselaer, grandson of the First Patroon, probably built Crailo in the early 18th century. Hendrick died in 1740 and his eldest son, Johannes, inherited Crailo. He remodeled the house and added an east wing in the Georgian style, reflecting the increasing influence of the English on the Albany-area Dutch. In the late 18th century, Crailo was remodeled in the Federal style. It served as a boys' boarding school in the 1840's and later as a church rectory. Each new venture brought more changes to the structure. In 1924 Crailo was donated to New York State for development as a museum.
Crailo today tells the story of the early Dutch inhabitants of the upper Hudson Valley through exhibits highlighting archeological finds from the Albany Fort Orange excavations, special programs and guided tours of the museum.
Recreation - Crailo State Historic Site is a museum offering brochures, educational services, manicured gardens, group tours, guided tours and a visitor center. The historic site is open April 15 through October, Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sundays 1-5 p.m. Tours take place on the hour and half hour. Last tour begins at 4:00 p.m. It is also open Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Grounds are available dawn to dusk. Admission is $3.00 adults, $2.00 NYS senior citizens, $1.00 children ages 5-12, children under 5 admitted free. $1.00/person for school groups. Climate - The historic site has a varied climate with average January temperatures ranging from 14 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 to -6 degrees Celsius). Summer temperatures average around 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). Precipitation in the region ranges from 36 to more than 44 inches of rain and snowmelt. A slender parcel along the eastern state line receive the heaviest precipitation. Location -
The Crailo State Historic Site is located on the east side of the Hudson River in Rensselaer along Riverside Avenue.
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