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CURRENT
ISSUES
LINDENWALD
On February 2, 2003
The KNGG Board of Directors voted in favor of supporting
Lindenwald
to be able to purchase
additional land in order to preserve the site from future development. KNGG believes Lindenwald to be a
jewel in Kinderhook’s
pocket
that hasn’t been fully appraised.
Updates on the
Lindenwald progress appear below.
LINDENWALD
March 28, 2006
Please be advised that the Columbia County Board of Supervisors acted upon Resolution # 130-2005 - May 11, 2005 "Supporting the proposed boundary adjustment at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site"
This resolution was brought to the Full Board upon recommendation of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors Tourism & Historian Committee.
Ann Cooper Administrator Columbia County Tourism Dept. 401 State St. Hudson NY 12534 800 724-1846 acooper@govt.co.columbia.ny.us
Friends of Lindenwald Kinderhook NY 12106 April 24, 2004 Dear Friends, In recent years the National Park Service has been conducting boundary studies and preparing a Martin Van Buren National Park boundary proposal. The locally approved proposal has been submitted to our Congressman John Sweeney to be fashioned into legislation for congressional approval. The proposal has the support of the three municipalities in the Town of Kinderhook and achieves cultural and preservation goals of their Comprehensive Plans. The boundary proposal includes much of Van Buren’s original farm and protects a cultural landscape that has changed little since Martin Van Buren’s tenure at Lindenwald. Now the time has come to show community support for the proposal with letters to Congressman Sweeney. Please take time to write the Congressman at the address below and encourage others to do so. Hon. John Sweeney Thank you for your help. Sincerely, ABOUT LINDENWALD Martin Van Buren,
the Country's eighth President, was a resident of Kinderhook and his home,
Lindenwald, is now a National Historic Landmark maintained by the National Park
Service. It attracts many visitors each year.
Van Buren's nickname was "Old Kinderhook," and the colloquial phrase "Okay" is said to have originated with him. Van Buren would frequently sign notes to his Washington staff with "O.K," which stood for either "Old Kinderhook" or, in some cases, it meant "Off to Kinderhook." Recently the Historical Site announced that it wished to expand by restoring the surrounding land boundaries close to what they were when Van Buren was in residence. Not only would this give visitors a better idea of life in Van Buren's time, but also the additional land could be cultivated by local farmers. It would give Lindenwald a more historic setting and would preserve the land for farming and open space, rather than allowing unrestricted development. Once the announcement was made to enlarge the property, approval by local and national authorities was needed. Unfortunately, one or two local "personalities" (one of which is currently a Town Official) decided to use the expansion for their own promotion by stirring up neighboring land owners with false information about how their lives would become very restricted when the expanded Lindenwald, a National Park, would border their land. When in actuality, their land values would most probably increase. Wouldn't everyone like their property to border a national park? The neighboring land would be protected, quiet and clean. On February 2, 2003, the KNGG Board of Directors voted to support Lindenwald's expansion. The purchase of additional land would preserve the site from future development and is considered to be good growth. KNGG believes Lindenwald is a jewel in Kinderhook’s pocket that has been undervalued.Led by Supervisor, Doug McGivney, (with the exception of Councilman Ken Wengler) the Kinderhook Town Board gave its approval for the expansion. The Columbia County Board of Supervisors never took a vote due to the fact that the matter rests in the hands of the Columbia County Tourism Committee , which has VOTED NOT to second the motion to support the expansion.One would think that the purpose of the County Tourism Committee would be to promote the county's tourism. The benefits that the expansion would bring to the area are immeasurable and it would preserve Lindenwald for posterity and the Nation. It could become Columbia County's second most popular tourist attraction, Olana being number one. Apparently the Columbia County Committee of Tourism has little, if any, foresight for the good of the county. An attraction such as Lindenwold could bring several thousands more tourists each year. The people would need restaurants, hotels and entertainments to name but a few things. The Committee would be well advised to wake up and reconsider these realities. And there the matter rests. The preservation of lands surrounding Lindenwald is of great importance and concern to KNGG. On March 4, 2003, the Open Space Institute announced its acquisition of a 33-acre open field that sits across from Lindenwald. This land conservation would save Lindenwald's viewshed and give more strength to the expansion program. We'll keep you posted about future updates.
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