Ongoing Programs

Part of the mission of The Friends of Pruyn House is educational. Our historic site on five acres allows teachers, students and community groups to experience and imagine life as it was in the 1800s.

The Pruyn House Complex in the Town of Colonie is a wonderful place for a Girl Scouting adventure. The Friends of Pruyn House is pleased to offer two new programs designed for children ages 6 – 12.
Programs generally run 1 hour. Programs are offered Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30. Depending on demand for programs, Saturday mornings may be a possibility. The Pruyn House is located at 207 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110. Call 783-1435 (ext. 1564) to schedule your adventure today.

Daisies/Brownies

Rachel’s Crazy Quilt - Take a tour of the Town of Colonie’s Cultural Center and learn about the Casparus Pruyn family. Come and see the Verdoy Schoolhouse and learn about the importance of quilts in the “olden” days and make your very own crazy quilt!

Juniors

Marie Claire’s Clothespin Doll – Tour the Pruyn House Complex and make a craft in the Verdoy Schoolhouse while learning about life in the 1800’s. Only children from well-to-do families could afford dolls because they were made with china! We will craft homemade dolls using materials that were plentiful and affordable in the 19th century.

We host speakers throughout the year who lecture on a variety of historical issues and events.  Let us know if you have an idea for a guest speaker or would like to lecture on a relevant topic.

A Summertime Series of Concerts
Each year, the Friends of Pruyn House, together with community sponsors, hosts a Summer Concert Series in the Buhrmaster Barn. Our concerts committee begins meeting each November to plan 5 or 6 concerts which run on consecutive Wednesday evenings from early July to early August. Dancing shoes and lawn chairs are always encouraged! Come early to browse our lovely gardens maintained by the Fort Orange Garden Club and enjoy a bite to eat from one of our various food vendors.

A Family day in September, typically the first Sunday after labor Day.  A free event for the public featuring pony rides, a magician, face painter as well as several exhibitors and vendors and music by Town of Colonie bands.

Each year the Fort Orange Garden Club hosts a plant sale in the Buhrmaster Barn.  The FOGC maintains the Pruyn House Garden and proceeds from the sale help defray the cost of maintaining this beautiful garden.  This much-anticipated annual event is usually the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend.  See website for details.

The Pruyn House hosts the Colonie Art League's Annual Show each year during the month of April.  Several talented and local artists exhibit their works.  The Historical Society of the Town of Colonie also has several exhibits throughout the year on the second floor of the Pruyn House.

We plan two bus trips each year, one in the fall and another in the spring.  Past trips include Hancock Shaker Village, Skenesborough Musuem and Manor, The Mount (Edith Wharton's home) the MET and many more historical sites.  Become a member and join us!

The Blue Creek Garden Club and the Fort Orange Garden Club hold a holiday greens show and sale each year in the Verdoy Schoolhouse and the Pruyn House.  Both shows coincide with the Pruyn House Holiday Open House usually the first weekend in December.  Come and see the house decorated for the holidays.

Another way to thank our membership for their support and volunteer efforts.  This party is held in December.  Members will receive written notice.

Our by-laws require that we have a meeting of the full membership and each year we combine it with our Annual Dinner.  This event is usually held in the spring and members will receive an invitation.

New Photography Policy

2022 PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY To all local photographers:

Pruyn House is honored to have such talented photographers utilize our site for photo-shoots. Pruyn House is a rentable space, and, as such, advance notice of the intent to use it is required. If a request to use the space is not received in advance of the photo-shoot, we cannot guarantee that your day-of request will be honored.

Below, please find a Facility Use Request (FUR) form which must be completed and emailed to us at pruynhouse@colonie.org at least one week prior to the date you wish to use the space for a photo-shoot. The FUR must be accompanied by a $25.00 fee. Please note that members of the Friends of Pruyn House are not required to pay the FUR fee.

Proof of insurance must be provided together with the FUR, naming the Town of Colonie as an additional insured. Insurance requirements are as follows:

1. If you are an individual applicant, you must submit a copy of your homeowner, condo or tenant’s policy showing a minimum of $300,000 liability coverage. You may satisfy this requirement by submitting the face page of your homeowner, condo or tenant’s policy. If you provide a certificate of insurance for other than a homeowner, condo or tenant’s policy, the insurance must meet the requirements for Leagues, Organizations, Groups and/or Businesses, as set forth below.

2. If you are making the request on behalf of a league, organization, group and/or business, including a not-for-profit corporation, you must provide a certificate of insurance indicating comprehensive general liability coverage of not less than $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate.

Please send proof of insurance, naming the Town of Colonie, 534 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110 as certificate holder, to us along with the completed Facility Use Request form and payment.

We thank you all in advance for following the above instructions. If you have any questions, please call us at 518-783-1435.

Photographer_FUR_(V_revised_4.6_.2022)_.pdf

Pruyn House is open for Tours.  Please schedule an appointment!

Pruyn House is open for free tours!  Please schedule an appointment if possible.  We are often rented, or have meetings and would appreciate a bit of advance notice.  Please call us at 518-783-1435 so we can share the beauty of the Pruyn House with you.