James Vanderpoel 'House of History'
Built circa 1819-1820
Established as 'House of History' in 1925
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Built circa 1819-1820
Established as 'House of History' in 1925
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The Columbia County Historical Society owns four historic properties including the CCHS Museum & Library open to the public.
To learn more about the museum and library, our changing exhibitions and research library, click here.
To learn more about the museum and library, our changing exhibitions and research library, click here.
Built during the Federal era as the home of prominent lawyer and politician, James Vanderpoel and his family,
the property is now an exhibit space featuring galleries of paintings and decorative arts from the CCHS permanent collection.
the property is now an exhibit space featuring galleries of paintings and decorative arts from the CCHS permanent collection.
Vanderpoel Hall
A classic example of Federal style building, the Vanderpoel House was constructed circa 1819-1820 for prominent lawyer and civic leader, James Vanderpoel.
Trimmed with marble and built with local brick, the side-gabled structure has two storeys, five bays, and rests on a fieldstone foundation. Symmetry and graceful, architectural details are found throughout the home. After a several year search for an antique, brick 'House of History' for their meetings, library, exhibitions and growing collection, The Daughters of Columbia County Historical Society (precursor to the Columbia County Historical Society) purchased the property in 1925, around the time the CCHS became Coed. No original furnishings remained at the time of the CCHS purchase. An ambitious restoration returned the house to its initial Federal style, and it was opened to the public in 1932. |
VanderPoel Coat of Arms
Judge James Van der Poel was born in 1787 in Chatham, New York.
He studied first at Kingston Academy and later studied law in Kinderhook under Francis Silvester. In 1808 he married Anna Doll (b. 1781) and together they had six children. In 1810, he was elected to the State Assembly and later succeeded his friend and colleague Martin Van Buren as Columbia County surrogate. In 1833, Vanderpoel was appointed Columbia County Judge, and he moved his family to Albany. Vanderpoel sold this house to Ashley Scovel who in turn sold the home to Major Mordecai Meyers the following year. Meyers, a noted figure in the War of 1812, lived with his wife and ten children in the house until 1842, when he was forced to sell due to "financial reverses." In 1842, Thomas M. Burt and wife Lydia Burt of Albany purchased the house, and moved in with their four sons and daughter. Along with live-in servants and a niece, the Burt Family lived in this house until Thomas Burt's death in 1873. Following the Burts' residence, the house had several owners, including an operating boarding house. |
The James Vanderpoel House
Featuring Special Exhibitions from our permanent collection. Admissions for the Vanderpoel House & CCHS Museum & Library are combined. |
