Bethlehem House
a.k.a. Rensselaer Nicoll House
E of Bethlehem off NY 144, Bethlehem, NYThe Rensselaer Nicoll House, also known as the Bethlehem House, represents, as Helen Wilkinson Reynolds puts it, an architectural "growth not a type." In its multiple additions lie the building's immense historical interest as the expression of changing needs and life-styles of one family throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Located within the Van Rensselaer Patent, the building site was determined by its proximity to the falls in the Vlaumanskill where a sawmill was built in the mid-seventeenth century. A farmhouse must have been built beside the mill because when Rensselaer Nicoll, the fourth patroon's nephew, built his house there in 1736 records show that he demolished a farmhouse which was by then nearly a hundred years old.
The house was built at the time of Rensselaer Nicoll's marriage to Elizabeth Salisbury, and its scale and elegance shows a marked resemblance to her father's house in Leeds near Catskill. The building had no windows on the north wall apparently to afford better protection against prevailing winter winds.
Just over sixty years after the house was built, Francis Nicoll made the southern addition to his father's house. The event that prompted this addition was the return of his daughter, Elizabeth Nicoll Sill Nicoll who brought with her three step-daughters after the death of their father, her second husband. Her two sons by the previous marriage were already living at Bethlehem with their grandparents. Francis Nicoll's addition which solved the subsequent shortage of space, reflects architectural originality and sensitivity to the most modern building innovations. The window sash is constructed with a new kind of inside shutter, and the ceilings of a different height necessitating stairs on the second floor and in the attic. The woodwork of the southern addition is also different from that of the original 1736 house.
Located within the Van Rensselaer Patent, the building site was determined by its proximity to the falls in the Vlaumanskill where a sawmill was built in the mid-seventeenth century. A farmhouse must have been built beside the mill because when Rensselaer Nicoll, the fourth patroon's nephew, built his house there in 1736 records show that he demolished a farmhouse which was by then nearly a hundred years old.
The house was built at the time of Rensselaer Nicoll's marriage to Elizabeth Salisbury, and its scale and elegance shows a marked resemblance to her father's house in Leeds near Catskill. The building had no windows on the north wall apparently to afford better protection against prevailing winter winds.
Just over sixty years after the house was built, Francis Nicoll made the southern addition to his father's house. The event that prompted this addition was the return of his daughter, Elizabeth Nicoll Sill Nicoll who brought with her three step-daughters after the death of their father, her second husband. Her two sons by the previous marriage were already living at Bethlehem with their grandparents. Francis Nicoll's addition which solved the subsequent shortage of space, reflects architectural originality and sensitivity to the most modern building innovations. The window sash is constructed with a new kind of inside shutter, and the ceilings of a different height necessitating stairs on the second floor and in the attic. The woodwork of the southern addition is also different from that of the original 1736 house.
Bibliography
Dinmore, Harry C. "Notes on the Architectural History of Bethlehem House" 1934, On file at Division of Historic Preservation.
Reynolds, Helen Wilkinson. Dutch Houses in the Hudson Valley Before 1776. Dover Publications, Inc. N.Y.: 1965.
Sill, Dunkin. Letter to Mr. Dinmore. April 26th 1934 on file at Division of Historic Preservation.
Reynolds, Helen Wilkinson. Dutch Houses in the Hudson Valley Before 1776. Dover Publications, Inc. N.Y.: 1965.
Sill, Dunkin. Letter to Mr. Dinmore. April 26th 1934 on file at Division of Historic Preservation.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
New York state has an abundance of natural beauty and a rich history. It truly is a gem of the Northeast.
About Albany County
Albany County Timeline
Albany County, located in the state of New York, has a rich history that dates back to the early European settlement in the 17th century. The region was initially inhabited by the Mohican Native American tribe before Dutch explorers arrived in the early 1600s. In 1614, a trading post was established by the Dutch West India Company, marking the beginning of European settlement in the area.
In 1664, the English took control of the region and renamed it Albany, after the Duke of Albany, who would later become King James II. Albany became a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the Hudson River. The city's growth was further stimulated by the establishment of Fort Orange, a trading post that served as a vital link between the Dutch and Native Americans.
Throughout the 18th century, Albany County played a crucial role in the American Revolution. The city became a center of political activity, and in 1754, it hosted the Albany Congress, where representatives from several colonies gathered to discuss a unified response to the French threat. Albany was also a key transportation hub during the war, as troops and supplies moved along the Hudson River.
During the early 19th century, Albany County experienced significant industrial and economic development. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected Albany to the Great Lakes, allowing for increased trade and the growth of manufacturing industries. The city also became the capital of New York State in 1797, solidifying its position as a political and administrative center.
Today, Albany County continues to thrive as the heart of New York's Capital Region. It is known for its diverse culture, rich historical landmarks, and educational institutions such as the University at Albany. The county reflects a blend of its early Dutch and English colonial roots with modern urbanization, making it a fascinating destination with a deep historical legacy.
In 1664, the English took control of the region and renamed it Albany, after the Duke of Albany, who would later become King James II. Albany became a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the Hudson River. The city's growth was further stimulated by the establishment of Fort Orange, a trading post that served as a vital link between the Dutch and Native Americans.
Throughout the 18th century, Albany County played a crucial role in the American Revolution. The city became a center of political activity, and in 1754, it hosted the Albany Congress, where representatives from several colonies gathered to discuss a unified response to the French threat. Albany was also a key transportation hub during the war, as troops and supplies moved along the Hudson River.
During the early 19th century, Albany County experienced significant industrial and economic development. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected Albany to the Great Lakes, allowing for increased trade and the growth of manufacturing industries. The city also became the capital of New York State in 1797, solidifying its position as a political and administrative center.
Today, Albany County continues to thrive as the heart of New York's Capital Region. It is known for its diverse culture, rich historical landmarks, and educational institutions such as the University at Albany. The county reflects a blend of its early Dutch and English colonial roots with modern urbanization, making it a fascinating destination with a deep historical legacy.
Albany County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Albany County, New York.
- 1683 - Albany County is officially established by the Province of New York.
- 1777 - Albany County becomes a strategic location during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1791 - The city of Albany is incorporated and becomes the county seat.
- 1800s - Albany County experiences rapid industrialization and becomes a center for trade and transportation.
- 1812 - The War of 1812 brings increased military activity to the county.
- 1825 - Erie Canal opens, connecting Albany County to the Great Lakes and boosting the local economy.
- 1846 - Albany County is divided, creating the separate county of Rensselaer.
- 1883 - The State Capitol building in Albany is completed.
- 1936 - The Albany County Airport (now Albany International Airport) opens.
- 1972 - The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is completed in Albany.
- 1998 - Albany County celebrates its 315th anniversary.
Online RSVP, Simplified
- Start free, set up in minutes
- Send invites instantly
- Real-time response analytics
- Clean, ad-free experience
Create an RSVP event