Schuyler House

The Schuyler House is the country home of General Philip Schuyler, a businessman, politician, and entrepreneur, and father-in-law to Alexander Hamilton. Philip Schuyler was a major figure in the Revolutionary War and an important New York political and economic figure. The Schuylers were a prominent New York family and Schuyler’s daughter was married to Alexander Hamilton. Schuyler himself was elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775 and appointed a Major General of the army the same year (commanding the New York forces). He commanded the northern forces from 1775-1777 and initially led the Canadian invasion in 1775. Schuyler and his troops were responsible for slowing Burgoyne’s advance from Canada before the Saratoga battles. Later, Schuyler was elected to the U.S. Senate. Schuyler was central in developing the State of New York and the village of Saratoga (now Schuylerville). When Schuyler built his manor after the close of The French and Indian War on his family land in Saratoga, he spurred the redevelopment of the village. His industries built and employed much of the village. On his estate his workers (employees, slaves, and indentured servants) operated his extensive milling and agricultural operations. In addition to barracks for his workers, he constructed a grand house in 1766 with at least twenty-four outbuildings and a large formal garden. The British burned Schuyler’s estate to the ground in 1777, but Schuyler quickly rebuilt. Schuyler owned the estate until his death in 1804. The citizens of the village of Saratoga voted to change its name to Schuylerville in 1831 to honor General Schuyler. The 1777 Schuyler House, restored to its c.1787-1804 appearance, is the dominant building on the property. There is an attached kitchen at the northeast corner of the house. A privy and a well house are the only other historic buildings that remain on the grounds. Archeological evidence remains from many other historic buildings that once dotted the landscape. The Schuyler family, mainly General Philip Schuyler, was instrumental in the development of the Village of Saratoga, now Schuylerville, as an agricultural and industrial village that relied on milling, farming and fishing. Fish Creek was at the center of the development and housed the milling and fishing operations. The first and second Schuyler Houses were burned during King George’s War and the Revolutionary War respectively. Today, the Schuyler Estate site is administrated as a house museum and public park that interprets the history of General Schuyler, his family, his manor and its relation to the two battles of Saratoga in 1777. The community has strong ties to the Schuyler Estate as a source of pride and tourism.  The Schuyler House is opened most weekends in the summer and limited times in the fall. The estate grounds are open from sunrise to sunset.  For details on the Schuyler House please visit http://www.nps.gov/sara or call 518 670-2985. —- In 2020, the National Park shared with us that the Schuyler House will be open Thu-Sun 10-4 from May 23 to Oct 4. The site will be emphasizing the enslaved peoples roles this summer. NPS special programs include Eileen Mack’s Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton: Albany Girl, American Woman June 27, July 5, Aug 1, and Sep 6 all at 1 p.m., and Lovada Nahon: 18th Century Foodways in the Schuyler House kitchen July 18 10-4. Tours: The house is available for viewing by dropping in.  Staff will be on hand to answer questions you may have about the estate or Schuyler family.