Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
An often-forgotten president, Martin van Buren, is remembered at his home, Lindenwald, in Kinderhook, New York. This site is now preserved as the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site. I have visited this house a couple of times, and the house itself leaves an impression, especially with its distinctive French scenic wallpaper that wraps entire rooms in sweeping pastoral scenes. It feels both refined and bold for a mid-19th century American statesman.
Lindenwalds began as an 18th century Dutch farmhouse before being expanded into a grand Federal style home. Van Buren purchased it in 1839 after leaving the White House, and it became his political and personal retreat for the rest of his life. The house reflects his Durch heritage, political sophistication and a strong attachment to Kinderhook, where he was born and raised.
Unlike many presidents who are remembered for dramatic events, Van Buren’s legacy is more foundational. He was the 8th President of the United States (1837-1841) and a key architect of the modern American political party system. As Andrew Jackson’s vice president and successor, he helped organize the Democratic Party into a national structure.
His presidency was dominated by the Panic of 1837, a severe economic depression that came shortly after he took office. The financial crisis overshadowed his term and contributed to his defeat after one term. Historians remember him as shaping the structure of American electoral politics.
This site was authorized as a National Historic Site in 1974 by Congress and signed by President Gerald Ford. Its designation recognized Van Buren’s role in developing the American party system and preserving the home where he continued to influence politics long after leaving office.
Read More From Nancy
Poe’s Cottage
Tucked inside Poe Park in the Bronx is a small, white cottage that feels worlds away from the city that now surrounds it. The modest home was the final residence of Edgar Allen Poe, who moved here in 1846 seeking quiet and relief for his ailing wife, Virginia. At the time, this was rural farmland far […]
Belhurst Castle
One of the unexpected pleasures of our camping trip through upstate New York was enjoying dinner in a place that feels as though it belongs in another century. Perched on the western shore of Seneca Lake, Belhurst Castle is more than a restaurant or hotel. It is one of the Finger Lakes’ most remarkable historic […]
Harriet Tubman National Historic Site
When I visited the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center in Upstate New York in 2024, I was familiar with her daring rescue stories and her work with the Underground Railroad. I learned more about the remarkable courage of her life after those dangerous journeys. Her story did not end when she stopped guiding enslaved people to freedom. […]
