Diane Morgan
Curator
207 Old Niskayuna Road
P.O. Box 212
Newtonville, NY 12128
This
beautifully restored home situated on 5 ½ acres is a connection
to the Dutch heritage of this area. Built by Casparus Pruyn about 1830
as a country home for his wife, Ann, and their eight children, it is a
blend of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. Along with his job as
land and business agent for Stephen Van Rensselaer III, the last patroon,
Mr. Pruyn used a portion of his over 170 acres for farming.
Over the years, the property had many owners, the longest
being members of the Henkes family. John and Carrie Henkes purchased the
property in 1893. In 1982, the Town of Colonie purchased the home, began
extensive repairs and opened it to the public in 1985 as a historic and
cultural center.
The interior original Greek Revival details include doors,
moldings, grey marble mantles, newels, balusters and a majestic staircase.
There are ten outbuildings including the Buhrmaster Barn reconstructed on the grounds in 1987 and the Verdoy Schoolhouse which arrived in 1996. Other structures include a smokehouse, a potting shed, a woodshed/privy building, a carriage house, wellhouse and restroom facility.
The lovely herb and flower gardens maintained by two garden clubs are a focal point for this site. The gardens grace the grounds of the complex complete with brick walks, painted fences, and a sun dial.
The Buhrmaster Barn was originally
located along the Mohawk River where it was rebuilt in the late 1800's
following a fire. Displaced from its original spot in 1911 when the Erie
Barge Canal was built, it was moved to Troy-Schenectady Road. When condemned
at that location in 1987 by the Federal Aviation Administration, it was
moved to its present home at the Pruyn House. Reconstruction contractors
were visibly excited at the sight of many of the early features of the
structure such as hand-hewn beams and wooden pegs. The barn features double
doors, and is a lovely site for a summertime party when the gardens and
the grounds are at their best. For a more detailed history click
here.
The Verdoy Schoolhouse was built in 1910 and is a good example of the early one-room schools built in the Town of Colonie until the 1950's. In 1995 the North Colonie School district donated the schoolhouse to the Town of Colonie and it was moved to the Pruyn House where it has been restored as a living memorial to the Town's Centennial.
- Northway I87 Exit #5
- From the North, left on Rt. 155
- From the South, right on Rt. 155
- Turn onto Old Niskayuna Road
- Pruyn
House Cultural Center is 1/2 mile on the left
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A MAP
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The Friends of Pruyn House through a Board of Trustees and Director manage the Pruyn House Complex. The Friends plan and pay for all the programming, special events, insurance, newsletters and many improvements and furnishings for the Complex. Money is raised through a membership program, rentals, grants, and fundraisers such as the summer Concerts in the Barn series. The Town of Colonie provides basic services, utilities, salaries and maintenance of the Complex.
The Pruyn House enjoys a wide circle of "Friends" who work to preserve and revitalize this beautiful property. Currently, our membership is over 600 in the different categories as shown below.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!
- Newsletters and announcements of special events
- Reduced-rental fees for weddings, receptions, meetings, exhibits, and other events
- Special events for members including a Holiday Party and Annual Dinner
- A sense of community pride
Friends of Pruyn House Memberships
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P.O. Box 212
Newtonville, NY 12128
Community Events
The Pruyn House Complex is available for use by members, civic organizations,
businesses and private individuals.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
(amounts per person)
small clubs |
|
If fundraising event |
$5.00 |
FEE SCHEDULE
SOCIAL EVENTS
(amounts per person)
| HOUSE | BARN | |
| Receptions/Parties | $12.00 per person | $12.00 per person |
| Wedding Ceremony only | $250.00 Flat Fee | |
| Combination House and Barn | $20.00 per person | |
| To
open basement of House with rental of Barn |
$50.00 Flat Fee | |
Members Discount 10%
1) Will I be notified when it is time to renew my membership?
Yes, on an annual basis the Friends of the Pruyn House will send you a letter requesting you renew your membership.
2) Is the Pruyn House available for weddings and small parties?
Yes, the Pruyn House complex has been the setting for many lovely weddings and receptions as well as rehearsal dinner parties, showers and anniversary parties. We simply provide the setting and you must arrange for a caterer of your choice and any decorating you wish. Liability insurance must be obtained by anyone using the Pruyn House. People using the the facilities are also required to obtain a liquor license and liquor liability insurance, if alcohol will be served.
The Buhrmaster Barn is available only
in good weather, generally May through October, as there is no heating
in the barn.
- Spring Dinner Meeting...with an interesting guest speaker
- Concerts in the Barn... summertime series of six concerts
- Old Fashioned Sunday... A family day in September
- Educational Programs
- Holiday Greens Show
- Children's Summer Concerts
- Children's Holiday Party
- Garden Shows
- Art and Historic Exhibits
- Bus Trips
- Saturday, May 10th , 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Trolley Tour of Albany Rural Cemetery guided by historian, author and businessman Peter Hess. Cost $20.00 per person. Refreshments to follow. Space limited – RSVP Pruyn House (518) 783-1435.
- Wednesday June 4th , 7pm at the Pruyn House – Norman Rice, Director Emeritus, Albany Institute of History & Art will present “The Fabulous Pruyns”, a talk and slide show presentation on the family and Elk Street home of John V.L. Pruyn. Refreshments to follow. Space is limited - call 783-1435 to reserve a seat.Saturday August 2 nd , Bus trip to the Pruyn Exhibit at the Hyde Museum in Glens Falls with lunch included. Details to follow…
- June 22nd SKIP PARSONS' DIXIELAND & ALL THAT JAZZ Food by Rolf's Pork Store starting at 1:00 p.m. - Music: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- July 9th POLISH NIGHT – RYMANOWSKI BROS. ORCHESTRA Polish Dinners prepared by BVM of Czestochowa Church starting at 5:00 p.m. Music 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
- July 16th ITALIAN NIGHT with THE GOOD TIMES BAND Italian food served by the American Italian Heritage Assoc. starting at 5:00 p.m. Music 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
- July 23rd THE GOLDEN AGE OF ROCK & ROLL Performed by the LOST FACULTIES – teachers from Shaker High Sing along and dance to hits of the 50's and 60's - - Music: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- July 30th GERMAN FEST with THE BAVARIAN BARON German Dinners by Rolf's and Beer Garden beginning at 4:30 p.m. Music 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- August 6th HAIR OF THE DOG …. Irish Night at the Bar Guinness on Tap Music 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Corned beef sandwiches by Rolf's Free shuttle bus available from Firehouse at 144 Old Niskayuna Road
Note: Some Event Announcements are in Adobe
Acrobat format. You can click the
logo to the right to download the program if it is not already installed
on your computer.
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mail: Pruyn House
Town of Colonie Cultural Center
207 Old Niskayuna Road
P.O. Box 212
Newtonville, NY 12128
Phone: 518-783-1435
Fax: 783-1437
e-Mail: pruynhouse@colonie.org
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Weekend Hours: Special events and tours by appointment
URL: http://www.colonie.org/pruyn
Last Updated 01/31/08