Van Buren was born in Kinderhook in 1782, the last yearof the American Revolution. He lived until July 1862, sixteen months into the American Civil War. During the seventy-nine years of his life, he was instrumental in the establishment of many of the political practices and party politics which saw the new nation from its inception to its trial by ordeal.

The estate grew to 226 acres under his direction and was a profitable working farm. He named the farm Lindenwald.

Although the park presently encompasses 38.50 acres, much of the cultural landscape and adjacent lands are conservation land. Some of the conservation land is open to the public. Most of the adjacent lands retain a very high degree of integrity to the period of of President Van Buren's residence. This serves to add environmental and historic context to the life and lifestyle of Martin Van Buren. BEFORE GOING ON ANY ADJACENT LANDS PLEASE SPEAK TO A PARK RANGER.