Rensselaerville

Maps

Numerous maps have been found, some dating back 250 years. Click here for more information.

History

Rensselaerville's History appears in many publications. Click here for more information.

Military History

From the beginning residents of Rensselaerville have served in the military. Click here for

Family Histories and Genealogy

Churches

Hilltown churches formed and often merged, divided, and disbanded, so tracking churches can be a challenge. Click here for more information.

Cemeteries

Hilltown cemeteries range from tiny, hidden family plots to huge cemeteries. Click here for more information.

Hilltowns had numerous one-room schools scattered to be near population centers. school. In 1932 Berne and Knox joined the form the Berne-Knox Central School District. Westerlo joined later the make the Berne-Knox-Westerlo or BKW. Click here for more information.

Organizations

Hilltown organizations united residents and provided services the made life in the Hilltowns more enjoyable. Click here for more information.

Businesses

Rensselaerville businesses thrived for generations. Click here for more information.

Hamlets and Communities

Each of the four Hilltowns covers a large area. Early settlers joined together to create small hamlets, villages, communities, and just groups of houses. Click here for more information.

Photo Gallery

External Links

External Links to other web sites can bring you to valuable sources of information. Click here for more information.

The Village of Rensselaerville, photo from People Made It Happen Here

Rensselaerville, the earliest of the four Albany County, NY Hilltowns is on the south border of Albany County. The other Hilltowns are Berne, Knox, and Westerlo.

GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 61.9 square miles.

The south town line is the border of Greene County, and the west town line is the border of Schoharie County. The north line is the border of Berne. The east line is the border of Westerlo. The population was 1,915 at the 2000 census.

Maps

1787 map of Rensselaerville, or rather the territory that became Rensselaerville.
Landmarks of Albany County first tenants of Rensselaerville
1854 map of the Town Of Rensselaerville photo from People Made It Happen Here
Here is a current map from MapQuest.

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS AND FACILITIES

The Albany hill towns are known for their natural beauty: pastoral rural countryside, rolling hills, meandering creeks, waterfalls, forest land.

Listing of Rensselaerville visitor attractions and facilities including farms, farm activities, natural reserves, trails, historic buildings and cemeteries.
Proposals for town of Rensselaerville, farmers and businesses to attract visitors.

UPCOMING EVENTS

upcoming events are listed on the following pages:

Upcoming events for visitors who want to know what is coming up when they "Head for the Hills."
Upcoming Events of Special Interest to Hill Town Residents

GENEALOGY

Rensselaerville Historical Society

- RHS Genealogy Files

FARMS

Current Farms - For a listing of current farms, farm products and farm activities go to Rensselaerville visitor attractions and facilities.

Historic Farms - The historic farms are in order by Van Rensselaer Great Lot number which tells approximately (and often precisely) which grid on Beers 1866 map the farm is located. Click here an explanation of the 1866 Beers map.

The Rensselaerville Lot Numbers were assigned by Wm. Cockburn when he made his 1787 survey map of the Hilltowns. It is based on a grid a half mile across. This made the typical lot 1/4 square mile (160 acres). The number of the grid is the same as the number of the lot for vacant land. The lots of the squatters who were already there at the time of the survey are irregular in shape and cross grid boundaries.

The purpose of this site is to tell the story of each farm from the first homesteader to the present. Pictures may be used provided you have authority to post them.

HISTORIC HOMES

Tell the story of each historic home, when it was built, who lived there, additions, remodeling. Organized by Lot number. Pictures may be used provided you have authority to post them.

Rensselaerville visitor attractions and facilities has a listing of historic homes for viewing from the road.
Watson House

CHURCHES

Churches of the Past

- Baptist Church of Rensselaerville

- Friend's Meeting House at Potter Hollow

- Rensselaerville Presbyterian Church

Current Churches

- Baptist Church of Preston Hollow

- Methodist Church of Preston Hollow

- Potter Hollow Union Church

- Trinity Episcopal Church

- United Church of Christ

Rensselaerville District Schools - A listing of the 24 district schools in the town, their location and history if known.

ORGANIZATIONS

Current Organizations:

- Rensselaerville Historical Society. - Information on their research collection.

- Rensselaerville Farmland Protection Facebook Group mission is to advocate for the preservation of agricultural soils and farmlands in the Helderberg hill towns with initial focus on the Town of Rensselaerville, to protect the rural character of the area, to offer educational programs to the public, and to actively support regional agricultural enterprises…”

Past Organizations:

PHOTO GALLERY

This section is for scenic photos and post cards of the Town. Photos of people and families should be posted on biography or family pages. Photos of the hamlets should be posted under the hamlets.

Rensselaerville - Then and Now
Gallery:

Main Street looking West from Presbyterian corner, photo from People Made It Happen Here
Lower Main Street from the Medusa Road, photo from People Made It Happen Here
The village of Rensselaerville from above the Lincoln Pond Road, photo from People Made It Happen Here
State Road looking North, photo from People Made It Happen Here
Rensselaerville in 1807, photo from People Made It Happen Here
About 1900, photo from People Made It Happen Here
July 4, 1910, Baseball game, Rensselaer, photo from People Made It Happen Here
The old "White" Rensselaerville Village Bridge across Ten Mile Creek, wooden plank bed. Gristmill seen under the bridge. This is the oldest bridge recalled. Around 1914 this was replaced by another. Around 1952 the present concrete bridge was built., photo from People Made It Happen Here
Dam at lake
Main Street
Main Street
Main Street
Main Street looking east
Rt. 85 heading out of Rensselaerville
Main Street
You would like it here
Academy Hill
Union College
E.N. Huyck House, now owned by Union College
Catalpa House
Painting by Jessie Homer (Mitchell) French 1980 Jessie came from Beverly Hills, CA to wedding of Kate Jean Bensen in Rensselaerville and created this and several other paintings of the day.