Amidst the turmoil of a British military invasion in the fall of 1777, the elected representatives of rebellious New Yorkers met in Kingston to form a new state government. While convened in Kingston in September and October, New York's first Senate met in the simple stone house of merchant Abraham Van Gaasbeek.
In 1887, to recognize Senate House's role in the formation of New York State, New York State acquired the property, which quickly became a vital community museum. A two-story Museum Building was constructed in 1927 to house and display the site's burgeoning collection. Among its treasures are: major art works by John Vanderlyn and other members of the Vanderlyn family of Kingston. The museum also includes the site's popular new exhibit; "Kingston Stockade: New Netherlands' Third City," discussing Kingston's early history.
Hours of Operation
- Group tours are offered year-round, but must be scheduled in advance.
Site grounds are open from dawn to dusk. -
- April 15 through October 31
Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m and Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Also open from 1pm-5pm on Memorial Day and Independence Day.
Site is open year-round by appointment. -
Fees & Rates
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information.
Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
Sugaring Off, 18th Century Style at the Senate House State Historic Site
Saturday, April 1, 2023 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Collecting maple sap and boiling it down to sugar has
been a long-standing tradition in North America. Indigenous Peoples in the
northeast first collected the sap, boiled it into sugar, and used it in their
cooking. When European colonists arrived, they learned how to process the sap
from the Indigenous Peoples. It was used as a sweetener, in place of expensive
cane sugar, in a variety of foods including oatmeal, sausage, and baked goods. Join the staff of Senate House State Historic Site to
celebrate the maple season for its annual Sugaring Off event. Activities include
boiling maple sap into syrup, maple crafts, meat smoking, and hearthside
cooking. Local militia units will also be onsite demonstrating camp life during
the 1700s. Mark Rust will be providing musical entertainment,
including a variety of musical instruments such as the banjo, violin, guitar,
and spoons. This is a free,
family-friendly event! Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, will join Senate
House staff on site in Kingston for this program and will be making maple candy
for program participants to enjoy. This is a walk-in program; no
registration is necessary. For more information, contact the Senate House State
Historic Site directly at 845-338-2786.
SUGARING OFF EVENT
Saturday, April 8, 2023 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Kingston, NY – Stop by Senate House on Saturday, April 8, 2022, from 11
AM to 4 PM for our annual Sugaring Off event! We will be having live
demonstrations of boiling maple sap down to syrup, meat smoking, and hearthside
cooking. Local militia units will also be on site re-enacting 18th century camp
life while Nick Martin from Minnewaska State Park Preserve will be making maple
candy for visitors to enjoy. There will be hands on crafts for visitors of all
ages, and Mark Rust will be providing musical entertainment including a variety
of musical instruments such as the banjo, violin, guitar, and spoons. This a
free family-friendly event! Senate House is located on 296 Fair Street,
Kingston. Senate House State
Historic Site is one of 35 historic sites within the New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and one of 40 facilities
administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in New York and New
Jersey. For further information please call 845-338-2786.
Sugaring Off
Saturday, April 8, 2023 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Join us as we showcase maple sugaring, 18th century style! There will be demonstrations of boiling maple sap, hearthside cooking, meat smoking, jack wax candy tasting, crafts for all ages, and music by Mark Rust.
Opening Day
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Senate House opens for regular hours! Experience a guided tour of Senate House, the 18th century home of the VanGaasbeek family and the first meeting place of the New York State Senate! Then explore our museum building with two floors of exhibits.
NYS Constitution Day
Thursday, April 20, 2023 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Today is the anniversary of the signing of the first New York State Constitution, right here in Kingston! Visit the museum for a tour, participate in a quill pen writing activity, grab a copy of the original 1777 NYS Constitution, and learn more about this foundational document.
