Crailo State Historic Site

Crailo State Historic Site is a museum of Colonial New Netherland history in the upper Hudson Valley. Originally a part of the vast landholding called the Manor or Patroonship of Rensselaerswyck, the Crailo farm was named after the Van Rensselaer’s estate in the Netherlands, variously spelled Crayloo or Cralo in the 17th century, and meaning “crows’ wood” in Dutch.

Crailo was built in the early 18th century by Hendrick van Rensselaer, grandson of the First Patroon. Hendrick died in 1740 and his eldest son, Johannes, inherited Crailo. He remodeled the house and added an east wing in the Georgian style, reflecting the increasing influence of the English on the Albany-area Dutch.In the late 18th century, Crailo was remodeled in the Federal style. It served as a boys’ boarding school in the 1840s and later as a church rectory. Each new venture brought more changes to the structure. In 1924 Crailo was donated to New York State for development as a museum.Crailo today tells the story of the early Dutch inhabitants of the upper Hudson Valley through exhibits highlighting archeological finds from the Albany Fort Orange excavations, special programs, and guided tours of the museum.

Outreach programs to schools and hearthside cooking programs are available by reservation. Season and Hours Open
Mid-May – October 31: Wednesday – Sunday, tours on the hour, first tour at 11:00AM, last tour at 4:00PM; November- Mid April: Open by appointment only
Don’t Miss This When Visiting
Come and watch Crailo’s short film about 17th century Dutch life which won a prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award. Shortly after the film recieved a second honor, the CINE Golden Eagle Special Jury Prize for Best in Arts and Exhibits—the top award of all films in this category for 2009. In early 2009, Argentine Productions was chosen to produce the 2 – 3 minute film for Crailo’s 2009 permanent installation, A Sweet and Alien Land: Colony of the Dutch in the Hudson River Valley. Below is a preview of the film:

http://cine.org/winners/special-jury-recipients/2010/keeping-order-a-fort-orange-court-record.php

Related Sites Or Experiences
Cherry Hill Albany, NY

Ten Broeck House Albany, NY

Schuyler Mansion Albany, NY

Additional Notes And Comments
Historic sites charge a vehicle use fee and/or admittance fee at various times and locations throughout the year. A list of fees is available below. For program fees or to verify information, please contact the site directly.

Admission: $5 Adults
$4 Seniors/Students*
Children, 12 and under: Free

Group tours:
Bus Group – $4 per person with pre-registration
School Tours – Tour only: $1 per student; Cooking program: $3 per student

Combination Ticket with Schuyler Mansion
$8 Adult
$6 Seniors/Group/Students*

*13-18 yrs old/college student w/ picture ID.

Fees
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Tours Are Offered
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Site is Child-friendly
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