FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caroline Correia, Manager of Operations & Education, 518 758 9265,
educator@cchsny.org
Archeological Discoveries at Luykas Van Alen House on Behind-The-Scenes Tour
Kinderhook, NY - Since acquiring the Van Alen House in 1964, the Columbia County Historical
Society has sponsored many archeological investigations on the property. When Matthew Kirk,
Principal Investigator and Vice President of Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. began work
at the 1737 property, the archeological record was thought to be irretrievably lost after the
1960s, when the landscape was significantly altered with a bulldozer to create a pond. Despite
the damage, many significant archeological discoveries were made that helped to better
understand the family that lived there.
On Saturday, September 27th the Columbia County Historical Society presents “Walk, Talk and
Explore: An Archeological Perspective on the History of the Van Alen House,” a behind-thescenes tour with archeologist Matthew Kirk. The special tour, beginning at 3:00pm at the
Luykas Van Alen House on Route 9H, will feature Kirk and his archeological discoveries on the
property. Participants will then have the opportunity to explore boxes of the archeological
artifacts found on the site at the nearby McNary Center at the St. Paul’s Church, 6 Silvester
Street in Kinderhook. This event is free for Columbia County Historical Society Members and
local students/ $10.00 for non-members.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967, the Luykas Van Alen House is a restored
house museum, operated by the Columbia County Historical Society, representing 18 th century
rural Dutch farm life in the Hudson River Valley. The Luykas Van Alen House is open for guided
tours Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00pm – 4:00pm until Columbus Day.
For more information about this program please contact Caroline Correia at 518 758 9265 or
educator@cchsny.org.