Crailo, which means Crow’s Wood in the Dutch language, was the home of the Van Rensselaer family. Built in 1707 on an earlier 17th century foundation, the home has changed drastically over 300 years. The back addition was added in the 1760s, wooden additions were constructed in the 19th century and in the 1920s-40s, the house was changed to make it appear Dutch again.
A cobblestone courtyard once separated the home from a large Dutch Barn in the space that is now the backyard. The river, which in the past was much shallower, once came within 60 feet of the house. We invite you to read the outdoor interpretive signs to learn more about this landmark. The museum exhibit is on the Colonial Dutch in the Hudson River Valley, Native American trade partners, and enslaved people in the Dutch colony. Consider taking a tour to explore this fascinating historic site.
This cache has been placed as part of the New York State Saratoga/Capital District Regional Geocache Challenge. There are 76 geocaches hidden within 18 state parks and historic sites in this park region, and geocachers finding 40 or more will be eligible to receive a 2017 Schoharie Crossing Historic Site commemorative and trackable geocoin. If you are interested in taking the challenge, you can pick up a geocache passport at any of the participating parks and sites or download it at www.nysparks.com