Martin Van Buren
8th President
1 term
1782-1862
Democrat
Was the first President to be born an American citizen
Held many political offices before becoming President
Was a great friend and supporter of Andrew Jackson
Birthplace: Kinderhook, NY
On Decemeber 5, 1782, Martin Van Buren became the first President to be born an American citizen. The tavern fell into ruin and was demolished in the 1940's.
The Story
On October 3rd, 2009, we had been planning on going to Vermont. This was the plan up until a few hours prior to leaving, when my mom, realizing my brothers had soccer games, said no. We then decided to go to a place closer to home, and we decided on revisiting Kinderhook to see the Birthplace, Home, and Gravesite of Martin Van Buren. We arrived in Kinderhook after about 45 minutes worth of driving, and searched for Hudson Street, hoping that this would not turn out like our nearly in-vain search for Fordham Drive in Buffalo. It wasn't. We quickly located the road and then located the birthsite.
Birthplace
Martin Van Buren was born in a barn on this site in 1782.
Home: Washington, D.C.
Martin Van Buren lived here while he was Andrew Jackson's Secretary of State, it is called "Decatur House".
Home: Kinderhook, NY
Martin Van Buren lived here from 1839-1862. It is named "Lindenwald".
The Story
Upon leaving the birthplace, we decided to go in chronological order and see his home next. For some reason, I had thought that we had seen it, but not gone in, at the time of our first visit in 2008, and the origin of my assumption was explained because we had driven by it, but not entered or toured, in 2008. After signing up for a tour, we then went on a guided tour of the home. I was quite impressed by the style of the home's exterior, and also impressed that you could not only a) go to the upper floors, but also b) see Van Buren's deathbed. The estate not only featured the house, but also a number of educational signs and a gatehouse, one of 2, where Van Buren's farmhands would stay.
Lindenwald
This is the Mansion at the Estate.
Spire
This tower juts off of the roof of the Mansion. Unfortunately, because of fire safety codes, you are unable to go to the top of the tower.
Sign
This sign tells about the importance of Lindenwald as a house.
Sign #2
This sign tells about the operations at Lindenwald while it was an active farm.
Sign #3
This sign tells about Van Buren as a farmer.
Sign #4
This sign tells about the slaves at Lindenwald.
Gatehouse
This is the lone surviving gatehouse that housed Van Buren's farmhands. It is the South Gatehouse.
Sign #5
This sign tells how Van Buren transformed the house after he bought it.
Sign #6
This sign tells about Van Buren's political life.
Stones
These stones are arranged like a circle for some reason. I do not know what it is for certain, but I believe that it marks the site of the North Gatehouse.
Sign
This sign tells abouth the North Gatehouse, it was demolished in the 1950's, about 20 years before Lindenwald became a National Historic Site.
Me at the Entrance
Me standing at the entrance to the Lindenwald Estate. The visitor center can be seen in the backround.
Table
The very lengthy table was used to seat Van Buren's family.
Wallpaper
This wallpaper is original to the house during Van Buren's lifetime.
Cards and Card Table
Van Buren loved to play cards. His son was actually forced to sell Lindenwald to pay off depts he acquired while gambling. Thankfully, the house remained relatively unchanged from the time of the sale to the time the National Park Service acquired it in 1974.
Piano
This piano was located in the house.
Harp
This harp is in the home.
Portrait
This portrait of an older Martin Van Buren hangs in Lindenwald.
Portrait
This portrait of Thomas Jefferson is one of three Presidential Portraits at Lindenwald.
Chair
This was Van Buren's chair.
Portrait
This portrait of Hannah Van Buren also hangs in Lindenwald.
Dining Table
This table is in Lindenwald. The refrigerator box to the left is also original.
Dining Table
This dining table was used by the slaves. The china on it is the original china used by the slaves.
China
This is more of the china used by slaves here. It is also original. It is amazing that the dishes are still in original condition in that these were not made to last.
Fireplace
This fireplace was used to heat Lindenwald. Martin had heat installed shortly after he purchased the house.
Water Pump
This pump was used to get water in Lindenwald.
Drying Rack
This was used to dry towels and clothes at Lindenwald.
Martin's Bed
This was the bed used by Martin at Lindenwald.
Staircase
This staircase is long and leads to the top floor of the house.
Bust
This bust of Martin Van Buren is located in Lindenwald. He is depicted like a Roman Emperor.
Running Water?
This bathtub and sink, also quite modern for their day, were used by Martin Van Buren. Back then, it was uncommon for men to bathe more than once a month, however, Van Buren was an asthmatic, and thus bathed multiple times a week.
Sowing Kit
This sowing kit was used by Hannah Van Buren.
Portrait
This portrait of Angelica Van Buren hangs in Lindenwald.
Chairs
These chairs were used by the Van Buren family during their stay at Lindenwald.
Desk
This desk was used by Van Buren at Lindenwald.
Shaving Stand
This was also used by Van Buren.
Cane
This cane was given to Van Buren as a gift by his friend. The cane is made out of HICKORY wood. Who do you think gave him the cane?
Portrait
This portrait of Martin Van Buren's friend and political advisor, Andrew Jackson, hangs in Lindenwald. The house has a number of pictures of Andrew Jackson. However, The Hermitage, Jackson's home in Tennessee, contains no pictures of Martin Van Buren.
Bag
This bag was used by Martin Van Buren while he traveled.
Deathbed
Martin Van Buren died on July 24, 1862 at Lindenwald. He died in his son's (Martin Van Buren, Jr.'s) bed.
Grave: Kinderhook, NY
Martin Van Buren was the 8th President of the United States, he is buried in Kinderhook, NY.
Our Story
Upon school letting out on June 16th, 2008, we decided to travel to Kinderhook, NY, and visit Martin Van Buren's grave. It was quite surprising that from the size of Chester Arthur's grave, MVB's grave was as small as it was. The monument was the first thing that we saw, and we assumed that it was the grave, but after exploring around the monument, we discovered the small headstone marking the individual resting place of MVB. Upon finding the Revolutionary War Veteran Plaque, we were quite confused, until we soon realized that it was his father who served in the war, and not him. After this visit, we were off again, this time to a much more memorable grave, FDR.
Van Buren's Gravesite
This is the sign outside of the cemetery.
MVB's Grave Sign
This is the sign pointing out the grave.
MVB's Monument
This is me standing by MVB's monument, at first, we thought it was the actual grave.
Monument inscription
This is the hard-to-read incription on MVB's monument. It says,
MARTIN VAN BUREN
VIIIth PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
BORN DEC. 3 1782
DIED JULY 24 1862
HANNAH VAN BUREN
HIS WIFE
BORN MARCH 8 1780
DIED AT ALBANY N.Y.
FEB. 5 1819
MVB's Family
These are the graves of some of MVB's family members.
Grave
MVB's real grave.
Dad by MVB's Monument.
This is my father standing by the monument.
Initials
Martin Van Buren's initials atop the grave.
Martin Van Buren
Martin's father was a Revolutionary War Veteran.
MVB's Wreath
Martin Van Buren has a wreath by his monument.
Gallery
Return Trip
After leaving Lindenwald, we decided to revisit the gravesite, seeing as how it was on the same road as the birthplace and only 2 roads away from Lindenwald. We arrived after driving for a few minutes and immediately located the Van Buren Plot. We then found the large monument and the graves of five Van Buren family members.
Sign
This New York Historical Marker is located near the white arrow pointing to the grave.
Sign #2
This sign is located at the enterance to the cemetery.
Arrow
This sign points in the direction of MVB's Grave.
Arrow #2
This arrow has essentially the same wording as the other, as it replaces the full name with just, "M.V.B.".
Monument
This is the monument at the gravesite. It is extremely easy to locate.
Me by the Monument
The Grave
This is me by Martin Van Buren's grave.
Inscription
This inscription refers to Martin Van Buren, Jr.
Hannah Van Buren's Grave
This is the new gravestone for Hannah Van Buren.
Hannah Van Buren's Grave
This is the original gravestone for Hannah Van Buren.
Martin Van Buren, Jr.
His grave.
Mary Van Buren Grave
Her grave. She was the mother of President Martin Van Buren.
Abraham Van Buren
His grave. He was the father of President Martin.
Grave of John Van Buren
John is not buried with his parents at Kinderhook Cemetery. He is buried at Albany Rural Cemetery, the same cemetery where President Arthur was buried, and so, I was able to see his grave during my return trip there on Nov. 3rd, 2009.
Gallery of John Van Buren
Gallery
Kinderhook Reformed Dutch Church: Kinderhook, NY
The Church owns the cemetery where Van Buren is buried. He worshiped here, although the building was badly damaged during a fire and had to be rebuilt.
Sign
This New York Historic Marker is located near the Church.
The Church
This is the full Church building.
Plaque
This plaque is located on the right side of the door
Me at the Church
This is me standing at the enterance to the Church.
Cenotaph to Van Buren
This cenotaph is located near the Church parking lot.
Me by the Cenotaph
