Columbia County Historical Society

Founded in 1916, the Columbia County Historical Society Museum & Library collects, preserves, and interprets the history, heritage, and culture of Columbia County, New York, and serves residents of all eighteen towns and the city of Hudson. For 100 years, thousands of people from all across the county and beyond have enjoyed our varied exhibitions, historic properties, and educational programs. A vital community resource, our collections include important and unique genealogical materials, archives, paintings, textiles, furniture and decorative arts relating to Columbia County's heritage.

Columbia County Historical Society is the largest historic organization in the county and one of the largest in the region, as well as a cultural anchor in the county. We serve residents of all eighteen Columbia County towns, the city of Hudson, and visitors nationwide with educational programs, public tours and exhibits at all four historic properties.

CCHS owns and maintains the Columbia County Historical Society Museum & Library, and three historic properties: the National Historic Landmark Luykas Van Alen House (1737), the James Vanderpoel House (c.1819), and the Ichabod Crane School House (c.1850) and a biannual magazine, 'Columbia County History & Heritage’.

Our research library holds important and unique genealogical materials and hundreds of maps, photographs, and other archival material, and has been an active part of the community for one hundred years on subjects relating to Columbia County and New York state history and culture: the Colony of New Netherland; architecture and archaeology, including volumes on genealogy, architecture, and decorative arts as well as manuscripts and photographs. In this archive are maps, architectural drawings, diaries, scrap books, family albums, personal correspondence, broadsides, business records, pamphlets, programs, ephemera, photographic prints, glass and film negatives, cased images, and albums.