State’s 3rd-Oldest Residence — Visited by George Washington, Royalty & Spectral Residents — Listed for $8 Million

A Landmark Chapter of American Heritage Enters the Market

A remarkable slice of early American history has officially hit the luxury real estate market. The famed Glen Sanders Mansion, a magnificent waterfront estate situated along the scenic banks of the Mohawk River in Scotia, New York, is available for purchase at an asking price of $8 million. Widely recognized as the third-oldest surviving dwelling in New York State, the expansive 75,000-square-foot property offers an unmatched combination of 17th-century architectural heritage, Revolutionary War lore, royal connections, and enduring local legend.

Picture: streetsofsalem.com

Spanning multiple centuries of construction and architectural evolution, the mansion represents a living timeline of New York’s development from a Dutch colonial frontier to a thriving modern empire. Beyond its extraordinary physical scale and prime riverfront positioning, the estate retains its original 17th-century core, preserving an authentic tangible link to early North American settlement.

The 1658 Colonial Origins: Alexander Lindsay Glen and the Founding of Scotia

The origins of this historic property trace back to 1658, when Alexander Lindsay Glen—a prominent Scottish merchant and trader—erected a stout stone dwelling on the north bank of the Mohawk River. Deeply nostalgic for his homeland, Glen christened the surrounding settlement "Scotia," the Latin name for Scotland. This initial settlement established the foundation for what would become one of upstate New York’s most enduring community legacies.

Remarkably, Alexander Glen’s original one-room stone home still stands today. Rather than being demolished during subsequent expansions, the 1658 structure was meticulously integrated into the surrounding mansion complex. The Glen family maintained continuous ownership of the estate for an astounding 266 years, passing the residence down through generations until it was finally sold outside the family lineage in 1962. This unbroken ancestral tenure ensured that the home’s historical integrity was safeguarded across key eras of American history.

Property Overview & Historical Summary

• Property Name: Glen Sanders Mansion
• Location: Scotia, New York (Schenectady County)
• List Price: $8,000,000 USD
• Total Square Footage: 75,000 sq. ft. (includes historic mansion, event facilities & inn)
• Original Construction Date: 1658 (3rd-oldest surviving residence in NY State)
• Founder / Original Builder: Alexander Lindsay Glen (Scottish merchant)
• Key Historic Figures: George Washington (1775), Louis Philippe (Late 1790s)

Storied Guests: Founding Fathers, Exiled Kings, and Colonial Leaders

The defining hallmark of the Glen Sanders Mansion is its illustrious guest register, which reads like a chronicle of Western political history. Over its three-and-a-half centuries, the estate hosted military strategists, nobility, and early American statesmen.

George Washington’s 1775 Northern Defense Survey

In 1775, General George Washington visited the Glen family estate while conducting critical military surveys of New York’s northern frontier defenses during the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. While Washington spent significant time consulting with local leaders at the mansion, regional historians note that he retired for the night across the Mohawk River at the John Glen House in Schenectady’s historic Stockade District. Nevertheless, the commander-in-chief's strategic presence at the mansion remains a source of immense historical prestige.

The Royal Refuge: King Louis Philippe of France

In the late 1790s, the estate welcomed a young French noble, Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans, who was living in American exile following the tumult of the French Revolution. During his travels through the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, Louis Philippe was granted hospitality by the Glen family. Decades later, in 1830, he would ascend the throne as the King of the French (reigning until 1848). To this day, the room in which he resided is known as the Louis Philippe Bedroom, preserving the memory of France’s last king within its historic timber walls.

Preserving 368 Years of Architectural Authenticity

Unlike many historical properties that lose their character through aggressive modern renovations, the Glen Sanders Mansion retains an exceptional degree of authentic structural detail. According to veteran developer and hospitality operator Angelo Mazzone Sr., key elements of the home have remained undisturbed for centuries.

Authentic Architectural Features Retained:

• Original Hand-Hewn Beams & Stone Foundations: Massive timber framing supported by the original 17th-century fieldstone walls.
• Historic Fenestration & Millwork: Original hand-crafted window frames, glass panes, and colonial trim.
• Centuries-Old Flooring: Wide-plank pine floors that display centuries of historic patina.
• Central Staircase & Fireplaces: Hand-carved stair rails and hearths that served as the center of colonial family life.

The historical integrity of the property is astonishing. You are walking on the same floorboards that supported Revolutionary leaders and European royalty." — Regional Preservation Insight.

Ethereal Residents: The Friendly Ghosts of Glen Sanders Mansion

No 300-year-old New York manor would be complete without its folklore. Staff, guests, and local historians have long whispered about the gentle, benign spirits said to inhabit the estate’s historic corridors. Far from malevolent, these "friendly ghosts" are believed to be former members of the Glen and Sanders families keeping a watchful, protective eye over their ancestral homestead.

Reported sightings include subtle footsteps in the upper hallways, soft light shifts in the historic bedrooms, and a lingering sense of warmth in the original 1658 stone structure. These ghost stories add an intriguing layer of charm and romantic mystery, attracting history enthusiasts and paranormal researchers alike.

Commercial Potential, Hospitality Excellence, and Real Estate Value

Today, the Glen Sanders Mansion operates as a premier full-service event venue, boutique hotel, and fine-dining complex. Spanning 75,000 square feet, the estate features private event ballrooms, riverfront dining decks, dock facilities, and luxury lodging units. Its unique positioning offers a compelling investment opportunity for buyers seeking a turnkey commercial hospitality asset, a corporate retreat, or a landmark private estate.

The property's listing at $8 million reflects both its physical real estate magnitude and its priceless cultural significance. Located just minutes from downtown Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and the Capital Region hub of Albany, the mansion occupies a highly accessible location while maintaining secluded riverfront privacy.

Conclusion: Owning a Perpetual Legacy on the Mohawk River

The sale of the Glen Sanders Mansion presents an exceedingly rare opportunity to acquire one of the United States' oldest continuously occupied structural landmarks. From its beginnings as Alexander Lindsay Glen’s 1658 stone outpost to its role in the American Revolution and modern luxury hospitality, this estate stands as a testament to durability, historic preservation, and architectural majesty. For the prospective buyer, acquiring this $8 million property means far more than owning real estate—it means becoming the custodian of 368 years of American history.

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