In the fall of 1777, amidst the turmoil of the American Revolution, the elected representatives of rebellious New Yorkers met in Kingston to form a new state government. While convened in Kingston in September and October, New York's first Senate met in the house of merchant Abraham Van Gaasbeek, today known as Senate House.
In 1887, to recognize Senate House's role in the formation of New York State, New York State acquired the property, which quickly became a vital community museum. A two-story Museum Building was constructed in 1927 to house and display the site's burgeoning collection. Today, it features the multiple exhibits on Kingston history, such at "Revolution Comes to Kingston", "Vanderlyn the Artist" and "Kingston Stockade: New Netherlands Third City".
Hours of Operation
- May 30th – October 31st
Drop-in tours are offered on the hour. The last tour of the day leaves at 4:00pm.
Wednesday – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday - 10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday - 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday - 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday - 1:00pm – 5:00pm
November – Mid-April
Tours are available by advanced appointment only.
Year Round
Group tours are available by advanced appointment.
Grounds are open from dawn till dusk
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Fees & Rates
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information.
Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
Let us bring Senate House to you! Due to
construction during the 2025 season, Senate House will be offering outreach
programs to schools and other learning institutions. Each program can be
tailored to your class size and needs. Participants will receive a grade
appropriate program, where they will learn about daily life in the 18th
century, as well as the Revolutionary War and how it impacted both the Van
Gaasbeek household and the inhabitants of Kingston. They will also have a
chance to participate in activities related to the programs offered in this
brochure. Outreach programs are $5/Student. To schedule a visit to your school
or for additional information, please call 845-338-2786 or email SenateHouseSHS@parks.ny.gov
Voices of Revolution 250th Lecture Series: You Never Forget Your First
Friday, August 28, 2026 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Join us as presidential historian, senior fellow at New America, inaugural American history columnist at the New York Times Book Review, and New York Times bestselling author Alexis Coe will speak about her hit book You "Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington", offering her unique perspective on the founding father. This lecture is FREE and will take place in the Senate House Museum Building. No reservations required. For more information call 845-338-2786 or email SenateHouseSHS@parks.ny.gov.
John Vanderlyn: A Walking Tour of the Artist’s Life and Legacy
Saturday, September 12, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Step into the past with our
free walking tour of Uptown Kingston exploring the remarkable life of
Kingston-born artist John Vanderlyn (1775-1852). From his early days in Uptown
Kingston, to his celebrated career as a neoclassical painter home and abroad,
Vanderlyn's story is one of ambition, artistry and international acclaim. This
guided tour highlights key locations tied to Vanderlyn's family, artistic
development and Kingston's vibrant cultural heritage. Perfect for history
lovers, art enthusiastic and curious minds of all ages. Vanderlyn walking tours will
be held on Saturday September 12, Saturday September 19, Saturday October 10
and Thursday October 15. Tours begin at the Senate House State Historic Site in
front of Loughran House at 296 Fair Street, Kingston, NY. Tours will begin
promptly at 11:00AM and will run approximately one hour in length. The tour
will cover uneven terrain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Tours
are approximately one mile of walking distance and are weather dependent. The
tour is FREE, but reservations are required. To reserve your spot, call
845-338-2786 or email SenateHouseSHS@parks.ny.gov.
John Vanderlyn: A Walking Tour of the Artist’s Life and Legacy
Saturday, September 19, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Step into the past with our
free walking tour of Uptown Kingston exploring the remarkable life of
Kingston-born artist John Vanderlyn (1775-1852). From his early days in Uptown
Kingston, to his celebrated career as a neoclassical painter home and abroad,
Vanderlyn's story is one of ambition, artistry and international acclaim. This
guided tour highlights key locations tied to Vanderlyn's family, artistic
development and Kingston's vibrant cultural heritage. Perfect for history
lovers, art enthusiastic and curious minds of all ages. Vanderlyn walking tours will
be held on Saturday September 12, Saturday September 19, Saturday October 10
and Thursday October 15. Tours begin at the Senate House State Historic Site in
front of Loughran House at 296 Fair Street, Kingston, NY. Tours will begin
promptly at 11:00AM and will run approximately one hour in length. The tour
will cover uneven terrain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Tours
are approximately one mile of walking distance and are weather dependent. The
tour is FREE, but reservations are required. To reserve your spot, call
845-338-2786 or email SenateHouseSHS@parks.ny.gov.
Voices of Revolution 250th Lecture Series: Making Thirteen Clocks Strike as One
Friday, September 25, 2026 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Join us at Senate House on Friday September 25th at 6:30pm as Robert G. Parkinson, author and professor of History at Binghamton University, presents his talk Making Thirteen Clocks Strike as One: Race, Fear and the American Founding on the topic of America's founding and his important book 13 Clocks: How Race United The Colonies And Made the Declaration of Independence. It was a miracle that the thirteen American colonies were able to stick together and all declare independence as one. How was it possible that thirteen clocks were able to strike at once? This talk explores how patriot leaders like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson unified the colonies and made American independence possible -- through their use of fear and race. This lecture is FREE and will take place in the Senate House Museum Building. No reservations are required. For more information call 845-338-2786 or email SenateHouseSHS@parks.ny.gov.
18th Century Autumn Fest
Saturday, October 3, 2026 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Senate House State Historic Site
Experience some key Autumn
activities from the 18th century and enjoy the season. Join us at
Senate House State Historic Site on Saturday October 3rd from
11:00am – 4:00pm. There will be demonstrations of blacksmithing, meat smoking,
candle dipping, pressing apples, and more. There will also be live performances
of juggling, fire spitting and unicycling along with crafts for visitors of all
ages and guided tours of Senate House and access to the site's museum featuring
two brand new exhibits. All outdoor event activities
are FREE and family-friendly. Tour admission to the Senate House and Museum is
$7/Adults, $5/Seniors, and Children 12 and under are free.
