The Historic National Landmark, restored and open to the public since 1977, sits on an immense estate in the north end of the Catskills of New York State alongside the Schoharie River, just 25 miles to the south of Schoharie, New York where first you will benefit from visiting "the Old Stone Fort", a small museum for Rev. War Military History buffs and its wonderful gift shop.
The Lansing Manor was built by Chancellor John Lansing Jr., former delegate to the Constitutional Convention who attended Philadelphia's debates for six weeks fighting for state's rights and against a central government that might become too strong one day and allow tyranny and loss of personal and state's rights freedoms for a state militia among other freedoms.
Attending the Manor for a tour from end of May to end of October is a treat to anyone who loves visiting the timeless past of America's historical heritage. The tour takes less than an hour and you will learn about Lansing's connection to James Fenimore Cooper through his own son-in-law Jacob Sutherland, husband to Chancellor Lansing's daughter Frances who he is said to have built the home for however, this writer believes it also doubled as a safe retreat for Uncle John's prolific duties as former Chief Justice for the State of NY which he had retired from just a few years earlier. Lansing used one of the smaller buildings for a business or "land office". He was one of the main proprietors for a huge land grant and was a landlord over many "tenant farms" in his day. Eventually parcels of the original Blenheim Patent were not just rented but finally sold off to others. The Manor House itself was inhabited by relatives of Lansing then eventually other families who claimed to be related in some way though distantly and those connections still need some "fleshing out" through more research.
The story of Lansing's life is given by tour guides who will entertain you with stories of life in the days gone by as they explain the household displays of vintage clothing, laundering methods, winter food storage, colonial habits and traditions associated with
daily survival as well as social entertaining of household guests. John Lansing Jr. has been one of the lesser known delegates who deserves national attention as his fight for state's rights seems in retrospect to have been a worthwhile debate that brings much to think about during modern political debates on a national and state level as well. It does not seem to be common knowledge so let me add for those who do not know that John Lansing Jr. did indeed sign the Constitution but only after it went before the New York Delegation after the original signing in Philadelphia and the document signed at the Poughkeepsie NY state delegation as the Constitution went from state to state for approval by the many states for ratification after the Bill of Rights was attached to the historic document known as the United States Constitution. His brother, Abraham's wife's cousin, Robert Yates who was allied in his opinions to that of Lansing's beliefs also signed in Poughkeepsie. It may be of interest to the reader of this review to discover that John Lansing Jr., pers. sec'ty of Gen'l Philip Schuyler, his brother Abraham G. Lansing, and Col. Gerrit G. Lansing, all charged the redoubt with only bayonets at the Battle of Yorktown in the battalion led by Col. Hamilton, pers. sec'ty for G.Washington, alongside the Lansing brother's personal friend, Lafayette (who later visited Gerrit many years later after the war had been won for a personal friendly visit). Years later, Lansing and Hamilton would find themselves no longer fighting the same battle but on opposite sides of the state's rights argument on the Constitutional Convention when Lansing was in his early thirties and Mayor of Albany. John Lansing Jr.'s history will be fascinating to you as you are led by tour guides through this National Historic Landmark as well as learning of his tragic end. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to eat on the way through the lovely Catskills and be sure to bring along a copy of the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow", by Washington Irving with you as his life was interwined with Lansing's family eventually also to add flavor to your trip and to your imagination. Be sure to take in the tour of how Electricity is made by hydro-power in the magnificent restored red barn on the estate as you go with children or grandchildren from kiosk to kiosk; there is something historic and something scientific for the whole family to enjoy. Eating at a local restaurant should be done in Schoharie before heading south to N.Blenheim and don't forget your camera as the scenery is stunning! Enjoy! read more
