Palatine House 1743 Museum

NYUSA

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

A true step back in time, so much to see and so well preserved. The curator Ted Shuart makes the experience come alive with his incredible knowledge and stories of the colonial times in Schoharie and the role that the Palatine House played. If you enjoy history, you won't want to miss this.

•Friend•

4 out of 5 stars★★★★☆

Cute home, but was close till memorial day

Ryan Mazierski

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

The Palatine House is an excellent living history museum in Schoharie County, NY. The house is the oldest house in the county and was built in 1743. The house originally was built for the Reverend Peter Nicholas Sommer, his wife Maria, and their eight children. In its early years the house was also used as a church. The parsonage was used as the living quarters for the pastor and his family from 1750-1801. During the American Revolution the house was spared from being burned during a fierce raid. In 1796 the house was razed and moved to its current location which is by a cemetery and a spring. The house served as a caretaker’s house and then was even rented out as recently as the 1970’s. After this time period the house was restored and turned into a museum. The museum presents wonderful displays of what life was like in this house in the 18th century. On the first floors two rooms are displayed. The most interesting feature on the first is the Dutch jambless chimney that is split between the two rooms. This chimney rises up to the second floor of the house and could warm multiple floors in the house. You will also notice that walls are filled with wattle (interlocking sticks) and daub. In the corner of the larger room on the first floor is a predecessor of the Murphy bed as you can see a bed that you can actually lift up and down to open up space on the floor. Few beds like this from this time period exist anywhere else. This room was most likely used as a meeting place for members of the church in the 1750’s. This room also displays a historic bible and early documents from the church. Going upstairs is another interesting part of the house. The stairs are narrow and ladder like in nature. On the second floor you will see the sleeping quarters for everyone in the house. The upper part of the jambless chimney can also be seen. Even though there are windows here, it is still dark and hard to see. The tour of the house was excellent and the guide knew every detail about the house. The tours are free and donations are accepted. Check the website for hours and tours of the house. The Palatine House is a historic hidden gem that you won’t want to miss.

Tim Welch

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Really cool medieval style German house. The house tour is free and the docent is very helpful with good historic information. It's worth a stop. Seeing the old huge beams and wattle and daub construction is well worth it.

Nancy Shaw

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Loved visiting the oldest house from the 1700's and the property. Very informative tour of living during that time.

Noel Gutierrez

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

I went to the Palatine House and I liked it. It's good to. Preserve historical places. I really liked the visit. The gentleman who gave us a tour of the House was quite knowledgeable about its History. I shall pay another visit on my next trip to New York State.