LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Friends
of Pruyn House in partnership with the Town of Colonie, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 30th Anniversary of the Friends of Pruyn House in partnership
with the Town of Colonie, New York, to be celebrated on Wednesday, April
24, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Pruyn House, a beautifully restored home situated on five and
a half acres in the hamlet of Newtonville, Town of Colonie, has a
connection to the Dutch heritage of New York's Capital District; and
WHEREAS, Casparus Pruyn, his wife, Ann, and their eight children occu-
pied this summer home which was built between 1825 and 1830; constructed
on land leased from Stephen Van Rensselaer III, the last Patroon, it is
a blend of Federal and Greek Revival architecture; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pruyn had been employed by the Patroon as his land agent;
upon the death of Mr. Van Rensselaer in 1839, Casparus Pruyn became the
owner of the property; and
WHEREAS, The house and 114 acres of the estate were sold in 1848 to
Alfred Mayell; in 1893, the property was purchased at an Albany County
land auction by John H. Henkes Jr. and his wife, Carrie, who lived on an
adjoining farm; and
WHEREAS, The Henkes family used the 40-acre parcel as a working farm;
the outbuildings consisted of barns, a carriage house, stables, a smoke-
house, a well house, a combined woodshed and privy, a potting shed, and
greenhouses; the stables and one barn were lost to fires, and a summer
kitchen at the rear of the house was removed to make way for a circular
driveway; very few structural changes have been made to this historical
house; and
WHEREAS, Acquired by the Town of Colonie in 1983, the Friends of Pruyn
House is a corporation which was chartered by the New York State Board
of Regents; the mission of the organization, in partnership with the
Town of Colonie, is to restore and conserve the Pruyn House Complex as
an educational, cultural and social center; the Friends of Pruyn House,
through the Board of Trustees and staff, manage the Complex; and
WHEREAS, The Friends plan and fund all programming, special events,
insurance, newsletters, and many improvements and furnishings for the
Complex; the organization is supported through a membership program,
rentals, grants, and fundraising events; the Town of Colonie contributes
for basic services, utilities, salaries, and maintenance of the grounds;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Friends of Pruyn House in part-
nership with the Town of Colonie, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Friends of Pruyn House.