Van Alstyne Homestead Museum

One of the oldest homesteads in Montgomery County, this historic Dutch homestead was built in 1729 by Martin Van Alstyne, a descendant of one of the early Dutch families in the New Amsterdam colony. Later his son, Goshen Van Alstyne, took over as a tavern owner during the Revolutionary War era, and the homestead was the site of 16 out of 32 Committee of Safety Meetings in Tryon County. Rufus Grider, an art teacher and local artist, along with Richmond, a local banker, purchased the homestead. Grider drew historically accurate drawings documenting 18th century homes, farms and life across the Mohawk Valley. Rufus Grider, of Moravian descent, and late 19th century artist, purchased and renovated the old homestead in 1885 to create one of New York's first museums of its kind. It was later purchased by Bartlett Arkell in the early 20th century. Today it is run by the Van Alstyne Homestead Society and is open to the public for tours during the summer season on Saturdays. It is an all volunteer run museum.

   In 1729, Martin Janse Van Alstyne (1682 - 1765), grandson of Jan Martense (1623 - circa 1698), the Van Alstyne family progenitor in America, migrated from Rensselaerswyck to Canajoharie where he and his business partner Hendrick Schremling purchased a large tract of land from Cadwallader Colden. They purchased land here, in the Mohawk Valley, as it was less expensive than it was in Rensselaerswyck, and each of his children would be assured of land when they became of age. Martin Janse Van Alstyne had six sons to provide for. Martin Janse Van Alstyne was involved in farming, milling and transport of goods on the Mohawk River. Mohawk River commerce was booming during this period as this river was becoming part of a major inland waterway to connect the Hudson River with the Great Lakes.  

   The mid - 18th century was a time of unrest in the Mohawk Valley due to the French and Indian War. The predominantly Dutch and German settlers in the Valley were subject to attacks by the French and the Native Americans from Canada who sided with the French on all issues (excluding the Oneida and Tuscarora Haudenosaunee). The Van Alstyne Homestead housed many of the refugees from attacks (Burning of the Valley) primarily from the Cherry Valley area. There are three other such fortified homesteads that still exist nearby: Fort Klock (open to the public), Fort Wagner (private residence) and Fort Frey (private residence). It is a testament to their sturdy construction that they have survived at all after the Burning of the Valley during the Revolutionary War.  

   Goshen (Goose) Van Alstyne (1722 - ??) inherited the house from his father Martin Janse Van Alstyne (1682 - 1765), and added the Hall portion of the homestead when he married Elizabeth Schulyer in 1749, and subsequently (1760’s) the North Parlor portion of the house. In the 1749 portion of the homestead, there is a Loyalty Document signed by many families in the area, including the Fonda's (the descendants of the Hollywood family: Henry, Peter, and Jane Fonda). This document was an oath that the early settlers signed to the British Crown.  

Goshen Van Alstyne had a tavern in the homestead during both the Pre-Revolutionary War and the Revolutionary War era when it was used for many meetings of the Tryon County Committee of Safety. Nicholas Herkimer was commissioned Brigadier General in command of the Tryon County Militia here on October 5th 1776. The Safety Committee Meetings were necessary to keep colonists safe from the tyranny and oppression under the British Crown. Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer played an important part in the Revolutionary War. He led his troops into the Battle of Oriskany, known as the “Bloodiest Battle of the Revolutionary War, which in turn led to the Battle of Saratoga, known as the “Turning Point of the Revolutionary War. The men who met at these meetings were taking their lives into their own hands if discovered by the British forces. Sixteen out of thirty-two meetings took place at Goshen Goose/Goosen’s Van Alstyne’s Tavern. Goshen was well known in the area for his famous grog. The Van Alstyne Homestead has a receipt from the colonial era detailing what was ordered during one of the many Committee of Safety meetings that took place at Goshen's tavern. Also, the Van Alstyne family changed the spelling of their last name (which was a common practice during this time period) from the Dutch spelling VanAlstine to the Anglo spelling Van Alstyne.

   Around 1880 the homestead fell into disrepair. It was at this time that it stopped being used as a private residence. It was purchased by Adelbert G. Richmond in 1884 who was a local banker.  

   During this period, artist, teacher and historian Rufus Grider (a Moravian immigrant from Pennsylvania) established a museum at the homestead along with Adelbert G. Richmond, the local banker. Rufus Grider was hired by the local Canajoharie School System as an art teacher. He not only taught art but loved history and painting as well.

  The Van Alstyne Homestead became one of the first museums of its kind in New York State circa 1888 due to Grider's and Richmond's efforts. He filled the rooms with furnishings and antique weapons he acquired on his frequent trips throughout the area and recorded, with pen and water colors, the remaining historical sites. Some of the numerous water colors can be seen in the upstairs museum area. Seven to eight hundred more are in a collection at the New York State Museum in Albany, and there are five hundred of his powder horn drawings at the New York Historical Association in New York City. He also depicted the flora and fauna of the area, which can be found in a museum in Chicago, Illinois.

During the early 20th century, the former museum was taken over by an all Men’s Club that was founded by local high school boys, and then it was taken over by Bartlett Arkell.

    Bartlett Arkell was a nationally-known industrialist, philanthropist, and art connoisseur. During the rapid expansion of Beech-Nut in the twenties and thirties, Arkell developed his love for the arts, a trait he inherited from his father, also a successful industrialist who served a term as a New York State senator.

    He would have the “higher ups”, or management in the Beech Nut company become automatic members of the Fort Rensselaer Club Men’s Club. He added a large "newer" section onto the existing structure around 1915 (a ballroom, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom facilities were all added), but the "newer" section was designed to blend in as seamlessly as possible.