Frequently Asked Questions

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning your visit

How do I get there?

From the West (Albany)

Take Interstate 90 East to exit 12. At the end of the exit ramp turn right, you will now be going south on Route 9. Continue for approximately 4 miles and you will come to a traffic circle. At the circle you will get onto Route 9H, going south. Follow route 9H for approximately 4 miles. The entrance to the park will be on the right side of the road as you crest a small hill.

From the East (Massachusetts)

Take New York State Thruway portion of Interstate 90 west to exit B1. At exit B1 continue west on Interstate 90 to exit 12. At the end of the exit ramp turn left, you will now be going south on Route 9. Continue for approximately 4 miles and you will come to a traffic circle. At the circle you will get onto Route 9H, going south. Follow route 9H for approximately 4 miles. The entrance to the park will be on the right side of the road as you crest a small hill.

From the North (Saratoga)

Take Interstate 87 (The Northway) south to exit 7. At exit 7 you will get onto Route 7 East. Follow Route 7 east for approximately 2.5 miles to the Interstate 787 interchange. You will get onto Interstate 787 south. Follow Interstate 787 for approximately 4 miles to the Interstate 90 interchange. Take Interstate 90 East to exit 12. At the end of the exit ramp turn right, you will now be going south on Route 9. Continue for approximately 4 miles and you will come to a traffic circle. At the circle you will get onto Route 9H, going south. Follow route 9H for approximately 4 miles. The entrance to the park will be on the right side of the road as you crest a small hill.

From the South (New York City)

Take Route 9 north along the east side of the Hudson River to Route 9H north. (Route 9 will intersect with Route 9H approximately 78 miles north of Yonkers). Continue on north on Route 9H for approximately 14 miles. The entrance to the park will be on the left side of the road.

If you would like to use an online direction service please use the following address:

1013 Old Post Road, Kinderhook, NY 12106

When are you open?

The House and Visitor Center are open to visitors seasonally; check here for our current hours of operation.

Is there a fee?

There is no fee to visit the grounds or to go on guided tours of the home.

Where is the Visitor Center?

The Visitor Center is a small cream building located on Old Post Road across from the parking lot. It it the first building you pass on the right when entering the park. Look for the American flag and the big National Park Service arrowhead on the front of the Visitor Center.

Is there a book store?

Yes. The book store, operated by Eastern National, is located inside the Visitor Center. We carry a selection of books, posters, postcards, and other items.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover.

Can I go through the House on my own?

No, visitors are admitted to the house only when part of a tour. Please sign up for a tour at the visitor center.

What should I know about the tour before I go on it?

Tours usually last between 45 minutes and an hour. You will be standing for most of the tour. There are also apply 91 steps on the tour. You will see the first and second floor as well as most of the basement. There is no eating or drinking inside the House. Flash photography, tripods, and video are not allowed inside the house. Cell phones must be turned off at the beginning of the tour.

Can I go to the top of the Tower?

No, due to fire regulations the attic and Tower are not open to the public.

Is the House handicap accessible?

The first floor is handicap accessible. Please note that you will be standing for most of the tour. The walk from the Visitor Center to the House is a few hundred yards. We are able to provide transportation from the Visitor Center to the House and back for those who need it. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Where are the bathrooms?

The restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center. There are no restrooms at the House.

Where is your Passport Stamp?

Our stamp for the National Parks Passport is located inside the Visitor Center. Please not that we cannot send you a stamp to paste into your passport. However, we do have paper for you to stamp if you forgot your passport.

Where is a good place to eat?

There are no food service facilities at the park, however we do have picnic tables and encourage you to picnic at the park. There are also several near-by restaurants along Routes 9 and 9H as well as in the Village of Kinderhook and nearby Hudson. Stop in the Visitor Center for more information.

History

When was the site established as a unit of the National Park System?

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site was established by Congress on October 26, 1974. President Gerald Ford signed the law which added the site to the National Park System.

Which President was Martin Van Buren?

Martin Van Buren was the 8th President of the United States. He served from 1837 to 1841.

Why aren't there any pictures of Van Buren's wife, Hannah?

There is only one known portrait of Hannah. it is a miniature portrait about 4 inches tall. It was commissioned by Van Buren shortly after her death in 1819.

Where did the servants sleep?

While there is one servant's bedroom in the basement, most of the servants slept in the attic.

Where is Martin Van Buren buried?

Van Buren is buried in the local Dutch Reformed cemetery in the Village of Kinderhook, about a 5 minute drive from the park. Please stop by the Visitor Center for directions.

Where was Martin Van Buren born? Can I visit the house?

Martin Van Buren was born and raised in his parent's tavern in the Village of Kinderhook. The building was torn down in the 1940s because it had fallen into disrepair. There is a roadside plaque marking the spot. The property is privately owned and not open to visitors.

Was the House always painted yellow?

No. When first built, the house was painted red and the brickwork was outlined in white. Around the time that Van Buren moved into the house it had been painted white. The house received it's yellow with brown accents when the addition was built c.1850.