Van Schaick Mansion

We are indeed overwhelmed by the outpouring of financial support that we have recently received to help the Van Schaick mansion survive the hardships of 2020. Our COVID-19 silver lining is that we are truly blessed to have so many friends and supporters who believe in our mission to preserve our American history and those architectural structures that played such an important role in the American Revolution!

We are overwhelmed by your generosity! So many of you have responded to our appeal for help in keeping the Mansion going this season. We have received many donations of all sizes, from old and new friends, and even from a very special anonymous donor. Stay warm, stay healthy, and we will see you in the summer.

Front view of the damage. All 4 support beams have extensive rot. The exposed rotted boards. The roof sank 6 inches. The support beam pierced through the roof, allowing water to pool and rot the surrounding wood and porch ceiling.

Dear Friends, I hope that you and your families are doing well during this unprecedented year overrun by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been extremely difficult for all of us, but especially hard on the non-profits in our local community like the Van Schaick Mansion. This year we were forced to cancel our two major fundraisers, the annual cocktail party in September and the ghost event in late October. This loss in revenue put quite a strain on our cash flow and in turn, we c...ut our expenses to the bare minimum to ride out the year until we could reopen to the public and begin to fundraise again next year. In August, we discovered that the front porch was leaning to one side and beginning to tear away from the brick façade. Upon further inspection by a contractor, it was discovered that the main support beams had rotted, and the porch roof sank 6 inches. The floor of the porch and the stairs were also deteriorating and were deemed unsafe. Because the porch was going to collapse and possibly damage the brick façade, this issue became a matter of urgency and the committee was forced to authorize $15,000 of emergency repairs. Attached are a few pictures to show the extent of the damage. As Friends of the Mansion, we would like to thank you for your generous support in the past. We know that times are tough for everyone. Since we were unable to fundraise the ways we normally do, we are asking if you will consider donating to the mansion to help us continue our mission of maintaining this historically important treasure. All donations are tax deductible. If you have any questions or would like to send a donation, please make checks payable to the Van Schaick Mansion Project and send to VSMP Treasurer, Sandy Zerrillo, 29 Erie Drive, Slingerlands, NY 12159-9444. Thank you! The Van Schaick Mansion Oversight Committee

We can't wait until next year!