Recently, I finally took a tour of the Bronck Houses in Coxsackie. I say finally because I’ve driven by the houses and museum for decades and always wanted to check it out—but never had. I’m so glad I did, because what a fascinating history it has to share!

The area was originally inhabited by the Mohicans when Pieter Bronck purchased 1,900 acres of land—what is now the town and village of Coxsackie—from the Mohicans in January 1662. The price? Just two beaver pelts, wow.

Exploring the Homes

The tour begins at the 1663 Stone House, the oldest surviving house in Upstate New York. It served as the home base for Pieter, his wife Hilletje, and their son. When they first arrived in 1662, they dug out a cellar and covered it with canvas and branches—that’s where they lived for the first year as they built the house. The single-room dwelling was constructed from stones found on the property, with massive beams and wide floorboards milled from old-growth trees. It includes both a cellar and a loft for storage.

Sadly, Pieter died in 1669 at the age of 52. His wife Hilletje and their son Jan expanded the farm and lumber business after his death. Jan initially lived in nearby Leeds but later returned to build the 1685 Stone Addition for his growing family. By then, the business was thriving. The addition featured a hallway, a main room with a fireplace, and extra storage space in the cellar and loft.

You’ll also explore the detached kitchen, built after a fire destroyed the original one. Because of the dangers of open-hearth cooking, it was common at the time to build kitchens separately from the main house.

Fast forward to 1738, when Pieter’s grandson Leendert Bronck and his wife Anna de Wandelear constructed the Brick House next to the stone house. This four-room dwelling, built of brick likely imported from Albany, includes a large loft and cellar for storage. It’s a fine example of rural Hudson Valley Dutch and early Federal architecture. By this time, the family operated a well-established grain farm. Although Pieter had Swedish roots, the family considered themselves culturally Dutch through their grandmother’s lineage.

During the Revolutionary War, most of the Broncks sided with the rebels—including Leonard Bronk. He supplied grain, flour, beef, horses, shoes, and stockings to the Continental Army. Around this time, the family began to Americanize their names—Leendert became Leonard, and they dropped the “c” from their last name. Leonard went on to serve in the New York State Assembly (1778), the State Senate (1796), and became the first judge of Greene County.

Exploring the Barns

There are several barns on the property. Since it was a chilly day, we visited two of them. The large Dutch Barn—once used to process wheat—now houses large items from the collection, including a sleigh, early farming tools, and sconces from the Catskill Mountain House. The Victorian Horse Barn displays more delicate artifacts and features an impressive model of the Catskill Mountain House, the grand hotel that once stood atop the mountains.

The Bronck farm remained in the family for centuries. In 1939, the last family owner, Leonard Bronk Lampman, willed the property to the Greene County Historical Society in honor of his mother, Adelaide Ely Bronk Lampman, a direct descendant of Pieter Bronck.

Visiting the Bronck Museum

Guided tours of the Bronck Houses are available by advance reservation from May through mid-October, Wednesday through Saturday at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM, or on Sunday at 1 PM and 3 PM. Tours last about 1½ hours and cost $15 per person.

The museum also offers special Curator Tours several times throughout the year. These in-depth, two-hour experiences are $25 per person and explore unique aspects of early American life. The final Curator Tour of 2025 takes place Friday, October 24, and focuses on the challenges of early settlers in “Winter Woes.”

Before heading to the Bronck Museum, stop by the Blue Heron Restaurant inside the James Newbury Hotel. The menu is small but exceptional—you can truly taste the freshness of the ingredients, and the prices are quite reasonable for the generous portions. If you’re lucky enough to snag a window seat, you’ll have views of the Hudson River and the gardens of the Wire Event Center.

Considering an overnight stay? The James Newbury Hotel is a perfect and affordable option. Rooms start around $180 per night, but it’s worth spending a little extra for a river-view room, starting at $190.

Lately, I’ve been reminded that adventure doesn’t always require a plane ticket or a long road trip — sometimes, it’s waiting just a few miles down the road. Visiting the Bronck Houses felt like stepping back in time, connecting me not only to the early settlers of the Hudson Valley but also to the generations who’ve kept their stories alive. If you find yourself driving through Coxsackie, take a moment to stop here, it’s well worth it.

‘til next week, happy exploring!
Kathleen

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If you plan to visit the Bronck Museum, the Catskill Crew features events, and other fun things to check out a bit South in the Catskill Mountains.

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