Bronck Museum

This complex of Dutch Colonial dwellings and 19th-century barns was operated as a working farm by eight generations of the Bronck family. The 1663 and 1738 houses are furnished with 18th- and 19th-century art, furniture, ceramics, textiles, glass and silver.

More than three hundred years of upper Hudson Valley history are reflected in the cluster of architecturally significant buildings which comprise the Bronck Museum. After eight generations of Broncks had maintained the homestead as a working farm, it came to the Greene County Historical Society under the will of Leonard Bronk Lampman.

This legacy is a permanent memorial to his mother Adelaide Ely Bronk Lampman, a lineal descendant of Pieter Bronck,original grantee and first builder on the land in 1663.

The Greene County Historical Society maintains the Bronck Homestead as its headquarters and as a museum to house valuable historical collections which reflect the region's history.

The Bronck Museum was once a working farm.

1663 Stone House: In January 1662, Pieter Bronck entered into a contract to purchase from the Katskill Indians a tract of land known by the Indian name "Koixhackung". Choosing a site at the base of the Kalkberg Ridge, Pieter built this dwelling, a small single room structure with cellar and storage garret. The original massive beams, wide floor boards, cellar hatchway, and early Dutch door still dominate the interior.

1685 Stone Addition: The first expansion of the original structure to accommodate the growing family.This "west wing's consists of a hallway, main room, and loft. The great storm of 1792 caused extensive structural damage, requiring rebuilding. It was during this rebuilding that the distinctive paneling was installed.

1738 Brick House: An excellent example of rural hudson Valley Dutch architecture modified by a federal period taste. This four room dwelling has a large attic and cellar. The structure's size attests to the growing affluence of the Bronck family. Shortly after completion, the brick dwelling was connected to the stone dwellings with the construction of the "hyphen hallway."

Kitchen Dependency: Built in the federal period on the foundation of an earlier structure. A house in miniature, with main room, loft, and cellar, it faces the rear courtyard in a manner typical of the detached kitchen in a plantation economy. On display are local furniture and equipment used in the preparatiory and serving of food to a large household of family and servants.

House Furnishings: The rooms are furnished with elegant, Federal, Empire, and Victorian furniture. In addition, china, glass and silver from several generations of Broncks as well as other Greene County families create a gracious atmosphere. Throughout the houses are important works of art by Thomas Cole, Ammi Phillips, Nehemiah Partridge, Ezra Ames, John frederick Kensett, Richard Hubbard, and Benjamin Stone. The "west wing loft" houses an important collection of regional textiles, as well as weaving and spinning equipment.

The Barns: The Antiquarium, a converted Victorian horse barn, is now home to an exhibit featuring various aspects of Greene County life. The famous model of the Catskill Mountain House occupies the entire center of this building. The Dutch Barn is representative of the New World Dutch barn. Dutch barns were specifically suited to a farm economy based on wheat production. This barn retains its massive anchor beams, supported by columns linked together with 50-foot long purlin beams which support the weight of the roof.

The early thrashing floor with pegged 3 inch thick oak planking, remains intact. The Thirteen Sided Barn built in the 1830s is the oldest, documented, multi sided barn in New York. The weight of the roof of this unusual structure rests solidly on its thirteen sides. The only interior framing, apart from the side walls, is a single center pole.