"2011 Harvest Day at Lindenwald taken September 17 2011" by NPS Photo , public domain
Martin Van Buren
National Historic Site - New York
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is located in Columbia County, New York, 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the village of Kinderhook, 125 miles (201 km) north of New York City and 20 miles (32 km) south of Albany. The National Historic Site preserves the Lindenwald estate and thirty-six room mansion of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States. Van Buren purchased the estate during his presidency in 1839, and it became his home and farm from his retirement in 1841 until his death in 1862.
Map of the U.S. National Heritage Areas. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
https://www.nps.gov/mava/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Van_Buren_National_Historic_Site
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is located in Columbia County, New York, 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the village of Kinderhook, 125 miles (201 km) north of New York City and 20 miles (32 km) south of Albany. The National Historic Site preserves the Lindenwald estate and thirty-six room mansion of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States. Van Buren purchased the estate during his presidency in 1839, and it became his home and farm from his retirement in 1841 until his death in 1862.
Today, Martin Van Buren is an obscure man, often little more than a footnote. In pre-Civil War America, however, it was impossible not to have an opinion of him. Van Buren was central to the creation of America's political parties and to the largest crisis of his time, slavery. The above quote is from Davy Crockett, one of many Americans trying to understand the Red Fox of Kinderhook.
The park entrance road is located off of route 9H about two miles south of Kinderhook Village. GPS Coordinates: 42° 22' 52'' N -73° 42' 13'' W
Visitor Center
The visitor center is closed for the season on November 3, 2024. The visitor center and Lindenwald closed for the season on November 3, 2024.
The park entrance road is located on route 9H two miles south of the Kinderhook Village.
Sunset over the farm fields of Lindewald
Sunset over the farm fields of Lindewald
A stunning sunset over the the fields of Lindenwald with the Catskill Mountains rising in the distance.
President Van Buren's Home
President Van Buren's Home
Van Buren called his home and farm Lindenwald. He lived here after his term as president from 1841 to 1862. He ran two presidential campaign from Lindenwald in 1844 and 1848.He ran presidential vam
Paycheck from Martin Van Buren to Irish Servant Catherine Kelly
Paycheck from Martin Van Buren to Irish Servant Catherine Kelly
Many of the domestic workers at Lindenwald were Irsh. They are emblamatic of the great waves of immigrants which beagn arriving in the United states during the ante bellum period.
Martin Van Buren by Hiram Powers
Martin Van Buren by Hiram Powers
This bust of van Buren which is in the library of Lindenwald was sculpted by Hiram Powers. Another version of the bust may be found in the Red Room of the White House.
Lindenwald's Main Hall
Lindenwald's Main Hall
The main hall and dining table at Lindenwald were used by President Van Buren to not only entertain, but to use his skills to bend political issues his way through the ante bellum period.
Designing the Parks: Learning in Action
The Designing the Parks program is not your typical internship. Each year since 2013, this program at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation has introduced a cohort of college students and recent graduates to NPS design and planning professions through projects related to cultural landscape stewardship. In the internships, made possible by partner organizations, participants focus on an in-depth project that directly engages with a national park unit.
A group of young people stand on forest trail and listen to two maintenance employees
The Poinsettias of Martin Van Buren
History practitioners at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site partnered with members of the local Latino community to tell the story of President Buren with an iconic flower.
Two children look at a collage of poinsettia flowers
Farming and the Forever Business: Agricultural Landscape Management at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Managing the cultural landscape at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is “just a little different.” Of the almost three hundred acres that make up the site, less than twenty percent is owned by the National Park Service. The park works with its partner, Roxbury Farm CSA, to ensure the long tradition of sustainable agriculture continues for generations to come.
The Employees of Lindenwald: Archeology of the Martin Van Buren Household
Lindenwald was the home of Martin Van Buren, the eight president of the United States, and his family. However, many other individuals lived there as well, including African-Americans and German and Irish immigrants. Archeology is one way to uncover their many stories.
Lindenwald today
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site Landscape
Martin Van Buren saw progressive agriculture techniques, like improving soil fertility, adopting new varieties of crops and breeds of livestock, and using crop rotation, as a way to increase profitability and sustain future generations of farmers using free labor. He believed that this was critical to the future of American democracy. Today, Agricultural Management Guidelines help partners practice sustainable agriculture while maintaining historic landscape character.
A dense row of leafy green produce grows in a long row, surrounded by an dirt field
National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate.
Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map
Top Things to Know
Top 10 ways to plan your visit to Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Large Yellow House in fall surrounded by fallen leaves
Black Locust Allée at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Today, visitors to Lindenwald, the agricultural home of eighth president Martin Van Buren, are greeted by a striking allée made up of black locust trees spaced along a curved entrance drive. While these particular trees were planted in 2002, they represent the historic character of the allée that would have greeted guests to Lindenwald in the 1800s. Black locusts are nitrogen-fixing plants, fitting with Van Buren's commitment to progressive farming and improving soil health.
Leafy black locust trees are evenly spaced on both sides of a curving, unpaved entrance drive.
How is Climate Changing at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site?
At Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, natural and cultural resources, including agriculture, are deeply intertwined. The park preserves and interprets the rural estate of the eighth President of the United States. Martin Van Buren and his family lived there from 1841 to 1862, and the historic site includes Van Buren’s mansion and a working farm. What can the park do to understand and plan for the effects of climate change on this historic home and farm?
Illustration of MAVA agricultural grounds from the air.
My Park Story: Chad Rymph
#MyParkStory: Meet Chad Rymph, Carpenter at Roosevelt-Vanderbilt-VanBuren National Historic Site.
A man in a carpenter shop with an NPS shirt on.
My Park Story: Amy Bracewell
Meet Amy Bracewell, Superintendent of Roosevelt-Vanderbilt-Van Buren National Historic Sites.
Amy at Mount Rushmore
My Park Story: Dave Hayes
Meet Dave Hayes, Resource Management Team Leader for Roosevelt-Vanderbilt-Van Buren NHS
A park ranger kneeling showing kids what is on the ground.
Dutch Speculaas Cookies
As a Dutch colony, New York homes had the potential of smelling fantastic during the winter holiday season. Since many of the spices used in Speculaas were quite expensive at the time, families might only be able to make small batches of this tasty treat, especially in areas far from commercial ports and easily accessible cities, such as New York City and Albany.
Four small round cookies sit on a plate. Next to them, large wooden shoes filled with apples.
Orchard Project at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
In early April 2024, NPS staff and volunteers planted 81 fruit trees in the north orchard at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. The orchard rehabilitation project was designed to reflect the historic varieties and layout, consider contemporary orchard management practices, and respect sensitive archeology. The planting is the result of many years of planning, consultation, and preparation. As it grows, the orchard will represent the agricultural history of the site.
A group of people in hats, coats, and work clothes stand in an orchard area in front of the mansion
Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System
To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.