Van Patten Barn Complex
Why it's listed
This farm complex on the south side of Western Turnpike in Guilderland holds three barns: a Dutch barn at the southwest, dated to about 1790, and two English barns from about 1830 to the north and east. The Dutch barn has a low sloping roofline and an H-frame with long exposed tongues in its mortise and tenon joinery. It is a simple building without prominent exterior embellishment, and it is one of the few Dutch barns in Albany County that remain intact and unaltered. The two nineteenth-century barns have moderately pitched gable roofs and English framing, and they add to the character of the group. The buildings are tightly clustered and are surrounded by undeveloped farmland, with a 3.7-acre boundary that keeps the original farm setting, including pasture and barnyard. The complex reflects Guilderland's heritage as a farming community and survives close to dense suburban development near the village. The barns remain in use and are in fair condition.
Significance in brief: The Dutch barn is one of the few in Albany County that remains intact and unaltered, and it is distinguished by traditional Dutch H-framing. The two nineteenth-century English barns contribute to the complex. Together the tightly grouped buildings reflect Guilderland's farming heritage and survive near dense suburban development.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82001086, listed November 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4773 Western Tpk., Guilderland |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | November 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001086 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Dutch barn (H-frame, mortise and tenon) and English barns |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a barn; condition listed as fair, with deterioration noted as a threat. Interior accessible by appointment. |
| Acreage | 3.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.72640, -73.96368 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82001086.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7913580
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.