Homestead’s
250th Birthday
By Sally A. Stanley
This year marks the 250th birthday of Sands Ring
Homestead. Built in 1760 by Nathaniel Sands, this
building has seen a lot of history. As the saying
goes, if these walls could talk.
Originally from England, members of the Sands
Family came first to Plymouth Plantation, and
then moved to Block Island, Rhode Island. From
there they settled in Cow’s Neck, Long Island,
(now known as Sands Point) and finally came to
New Cornwall in the Hudson Valley.
Nathaniel built this house for his cousin, Comfort
Sands, a prosperous merchant. When Comfort and
his wife came to survey Nathaniel’s accomplishment,
his wife refused to move here saying there was
nothing here. As the year was 1760, I’m
sure she was right.
Not to be discouraged, Nathaniel moved his own
family from Long Island to this Homestead. His
family prospered and grew. Members of the family
lived in this house until 1907. Check out our
History of Sands Ring Homestead on page 4 for
more details on the family.
In 1912, the Homestead was in a terrible state
so members of the community rallied together to
purchase the building and surrounding property.
They worked together to restore the property.
Unable to keep up with the taxes, the Homestead
was sold to the Town of Cornwall in 1950. A year
later, the Sate Education Department of New York
granted the museum an educational charter.
Since 1973, Sands Ring Homestead Museum has
offered hands-on colonial workshops and tours
to thousands of students and adults. Now those
students’ children come to participate in
our programs.
In 2007, I worked to create the non-profit organization,
Friends of Sands Ring Homestead Museum to help
sustain the museum.
As I walk through the Homestead, my thoughts
center on those early Sands and Ring family members
who came to the Hudson Valley in the 1700’s.
Life was difficult and comforts were few. Yet
they persevered. Their home has stood for 250
years through their own efforts and the subsequent
support of the community. It’s time for
us to rally again and raise the money for the
new roof this building so sorely needs. It’s
not only their history, it’s our history,
too. Let’s work together to keep it alive.
To contribute to our New Roof Fund, you can
send a check to Friends of Sands Ring Homestead
Museum, P.O. Box 226, Cornwall, NY 12518. Of if
you prefer to contribute online, you can visit
our website at www.sandsring.org.
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