Dutch Farmhouse

During our homeschooling years, many of our lessons took place on the road. We would explore historic houses throughout New England and the Hudson River Valley, giving the girls a chance to step inside the past rather than just read about it. Traveling through this part of New York also reminded us that the region has a very different early history from New England. Before it became New York, this area was part of the Dutch colony known as New Netherland, and the settlements along the Hudson River were shaped by Dutch culture, language and architecture.

One of those stops was a Dutch stone farmhouse along the Hudson, built in the 1700s when Durch building traditions were still strong in the region. The thick stone walls and simple, practical design, offer a glimpse into how these early settlers lived.

The house is built of local stone, covered in a light stucco, and setting it apart from the wooden colonial houses more common in New England. The walls are thick, the windows small and deeply set and the structure is solid and protective.

Visiting homes like this gave us a glimpse into the lives of the Dutch families who farmed the Hudson Valley centuries ago. They showed us how people lived, built and adapted to life in early America. Our country begam with many cultures, each leaving their mark on the landscape.