NEWSLETTER
Schenectady, NY (August 17, 2026) -- The Schenectady County Historical Society and the Stockade Association are pleased to announce that the Stockade Walkabout will be returning to Schenectady for its 60th year on Saturday, September 26, from 11am to 5pm. All proceeds benefit local preservation.
The Stockade Walkabout is a historic house tour that celebrates three centuries of history in Schenectady. People are invited to peek into the private homes that grace the streets of New York's first registered historic district.
First settled in 1661, the Stockade Historic District spans 82 acres on the Mohawk River, which the National Park Service has described as "the highest concentration of historic period homes in the country." The neighborhood includes 40 pre-Revolutionary homes, and features architectural styles ranging from Dutch Colonial, Georgian, and Federal to Victorian.
On this year's Walkabout, participants will see six private homes, including the timber bones of an 18th century house, which is a historic restoration in progress This year's tour also features StreetFest on Church Street, filled with artisans selling their creative wares, antiques, and clothing. Food vendors will offer tasty delights. In addition to touring the six glorious homes and StreetFest, participants are invited to tour:
- The Brouwer House: Schenectady's oldest house (1730s)
- Three historic churches: First Reformed, St. George’s, and First Presbyterian
- An ongoing archaeological dig by the Schenectady County Community College
- The Stockade Inn
- The Civic Players, local theatre at its best
- Exhibits at the Schenectady County Historical Society
Suzanne and Rich Unger are thrilled to be showing off their Union Street house on the Walkabout this year. "Every house in the Stockade has a story and ours is no different. It looks like a small row house on the outside but is full of surprises on the inside. It was built as a wedding present, and it has continued to give joy and happiness to every subsequent resident,” Suzanne explains.
Mary Zawacki Graves, Executive Director of SCHS, is excited for the public to see inside the houses on the tour. "You can take in the very personal and unique interiors that residents have created. You get to see vernacular architecture not just from the exterior, but the interior, too. The bones of the homes, and how people have chosen to design these historic spaces is endlessly fascinating, and I'm guessing many people feel the same way!"
Mike Diana, Director of Education at SCHS, notes, "The Stockade Walkabout is one of the most unique opportunities to explore historic architecture in all of upstate New York. Visitors can expect an incredible variety of both exteriors and interiors, while enjoying the warm hospitality of Stockade residents."
Tickets are $25 in advance of the day, $30 the day of the event, and $10 for students the day of the event. Advance tickets may be purchased at schenectadyhistorical.org/event/walkabout26 or by visiting SCHS at 32 Washington Avenue. For more information, please email office@schenectadyhistorical.org or call (518) 374-0263, ext. 5.
About SCHS
The Schenectady County Historical Society is a private, not-for-profit organization with the mission to share stories, inspire dialogue, and encourage understanding of the history, people, and cultures of Schenectady County. SCHS brings to life the region’s dynamic history through interactive exhibits, talks, concerts, education programs and community events for all audiences at the Mabee Farm Historic Site, the Grems-Doolittle Library, the Schenectady History Museum, and Brouwer House Creative.
About the Stockade Association
The Stockade Association of Schenectady is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that serves the community by protecting, preserving and improving New York's first registered historic district. The SA is comprised of property owners, residents, and non-residents. Its role in the community includes organizing events, representing the neighborhood to the city government, and welcoming visitors to its historic home.
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