National Register Listing

Bennington Battlefield

a.k.a. Bennington Battlefield State Park

NY 67, on VT state line, Walloomsac, NY
Local significance of the site:
Military

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

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.

Audiobooks about the history of New York.
In the mid-19th century, New York City was the largest slaveholding city in the United States, and the largest slave market was located on Wall Street.
New York random facts
Rensselaer County is located in the eastern part of the state of New York and has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 17th century. Originally inhabited by the Mohican Native American tribe, the land was first explored by European settlers in the early 1600s. The Dutch were the first to establish a permanent settlement called Beverwyck, which served as a trading post along the Hudson River.

In 1664, the British took control of the area and renamed it Albany after the Duke of York and Albany. Rensselaer County was officially established in 1791, named after the influential Dutch landowner, Kiliaen van Rensselaer. The county grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, with the construction of the Erie Canal in the early 19th century, which connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, boosting trade and transportation.

During the American Revolution, Rensselaer County played a significant role. The Battle of Bennington, a pivotal event in the war, took place just across the border in present-day Vermont. Several notable figures emerged from the region, including Samuel Wilson, who inspired the national symbol "Uncle Sam," and Emma Willard, a pioneer in women's education.

Today, Rensselaer County is known for its thriving industries, including technology, healthcare, and education. It is home to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, one of the oldest technological universities in the United States. The county also boasts a diverse cultural scene, with numerous museums, parks, and landmarks that showcase its historical significance.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Rensselaer County, New York.

  • 1609 - Henry Hudson explores Hudson River
  • 1624 - Dutch establish Fort Orange
  • 1630 - Patroonship of Rensselaerswyck established
  • 1664 - English take control of Fort Orange
  • 1776 - Battle of Bennington during American Revolution
  • 1791 - Rensselaer County formed from Albany County
  • 1826 - Construction of Erie Canal begins
  • 1857 - Troy becomes a city
  • 1862-1865 - Rensselaer County contributes troops during the Civil War
  • 1898 - Brunswick declared the official name for Brittonkill
  • 1906 - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute becomes a university