Van Rensselaer, Henry (Hendrick) I., House
Also known as: Hudson Bush Farm
Why it's listed
Built in 1785 on a farm in Greenport, Columbia County, this two-story brick house measures 55 by 40 feet and has a 24 by 20 foot kitchen wing. It was built for Henry (Hendrick) I. Van Rensselaer, whose own day book records construction beginning in June 1785. Georgian features include a symmetrical five-bay front, a modillioned cornice, pedimented dormers, a pedimented entrance with sidelights, and a Palladian window above the door. Inside, a central hall and four-room plan survive along with original moldings, paneled doors, floorboards and mantels. Van Rensselaer, a member of the Van Rensselaer manor family, served as a Lieutenant Colonel and later commander of the 8th Regiment of the Albany militia during the Revolution. He later sat on Hudson's Common Council and served as a county judge. The house stayed in the family until 1833. A smokehouse from about 1785 also contributes to the 29-acre property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding local example of late Georgian architecture that retains a high degree of integrity in its form, plan and finishes. It is also tied to Henry Van Rensselaer, a militia commander, local official and judge, and a member of an influential manor family, who lived there until his death in 1814.
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 93000947, listed September 16, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Yates Rd. and NY 9H/23, Greenport |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Listed | September 16, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000947 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1785-1814 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Colonial/Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in private use as a single dwelling; the form says it is largely unchanged since construction, with some twentieth-century alterations such as plumbing and central heating. |
| Acreage | 29 |
| Coordinates | 42.18905, -73.75706 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 93000947.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5716937
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.