The Huyck Preserve

Some of you may remember the post from several years ago about Jessi Van Antwerp Huyck which was really a repost of a story by Laura Stephenson Carter. As it turns out, Laura has several other stories about the Huyck Preserve and was on the board. She’s the great-grandniece of the husband of my 5th cousin 4x removed.

Let’s start from the beginning. Jessica (Jessie) Eliza Van Antwerp (1868-1959) was the daughter of William Meadon Van Antwerp and Susanna Irwin. She was one of eight kids. Jessie married Edmund Niles Huyck. They were both from and lived and died in Albany, New York.

Times Union – July 16, 1930

The Huyck Preserve was founded in 1931 from a gift by Jessie Van Antwerp Huyck to honor her husband. You can go to the site to learn more, but here’s a few things from their site.

On Laura’s blog, you can learn about the Lincoln Pond Cottage on the property or Bullfrog Camp.

Recently, another relative of Jessie’s made a $500,000 donation to the preserve.

You can also find some information about Rensselaerville in the book Helderberg Hilltowns which is available online.

You could even buy a copy of a book with a dedication to Jessie from the author or see her headstone here.

The website for the Guild of BookWorkers also has some information about the original paper mill and the family.