Visit our Zazzle store where you find items honoring the Slingerland Family Burial Vault! There are mugs and shirts which can be fully customized by you prior to purchase. A portion of each sale supports this project!
Development Concerns
Concerns about development of the site surrounding the burial vault may be expressed in person, via US mail or via email to:
Town of Bethlehem, Planning Board, 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054
planningboard@townofbethlehem.org
Tucked away off New Scotland Road, behind the former Mangia property, in the hamlet of Slingerlands, NY is the Slingerland Family Burial Vault.
This historic treasure, a monument to one of Bethlehem’s most prominent families, has fallen into disrepair. The Friends of the Slingerland Family Burial Vault is dedicated to secure, restore and maintain the property.
Visiting the Vault
We welcome visitors! When visiting the vault, please be sure to use the right of way which is shown on this map (outlined in red) and respect the private property which adjoins the site. Also, please be careful when approaching the vault since it is still a work in progress and you may experience uneven terrain. As completion of this project nears, this will be better defined with signage.
To use the right of way, enter from New Scotland Road to the right of the Redemption Dance Studio near the historical marker. Drive straight ahead until you cannot go any further and you have reached the parking spot. Proceed on foot to the vault which is easily seen from there.
Who are the Friends of the Slingerland Family Vault?
In the fall of 2017, Town Historian Susan Leath gathered a small committee to facilitate the preservation and maintenance of the Slingerland Family Burial Vault, and to raise money to make the restoration possible. The Friends include:
Frank Slingerland (Bethlehem Town resident and Slingerland descendant)
Bob Mullens (Slingerland descendant)
Joan Roy (Slingerland descendant)
Sue Virgilio (Slingerland descendant)
Susan Leath, (Bethlehem Town Historian)
Kathleen Bragle (neighbor)
Georgia Fishburn (neighbor)
Ana Webb (neighbor)
Our Project
The Slingerland Family Burial Vault, the sacred resting place of the family for which the village of Slingerlands is named, is located in the Historic District of Slingerlands, NY. Vandalism to the front face and interior of the vault occurred prior to 1980. As a way to protect the vault, the Town of Bethlehem was deeded the property in 1991 by descendants of the Slingerland family, along with a right of way to access it. After many years of neglect and unsuccessful restoration attempts, we now have some hope. Our new Town administration is actively involved and committed to restore the vault, as are all the Friends.
Media and other Reference
On January 7, 2018 the Albany Times Union published Saving the Slingerland vault on the front page. Subsequent letters to the editor support our effort:
Family burial vault rich with local history from Michael Trout on January 13, 2018
Valuable state history in Slingerland burial vault from MaryEllen Grimaldi on January 19, 2018
On April 4, 2018 the Albany Times Union published Slingerland family burial vault moving toward restoration.
On April 9, 2018, the Albany Times Union published Fundraising for Slingerland vault restoration begins.
On April 18, 2018, the Bethlehem Spotlight published Local residents are raising funds to stabilize and restore historical landmark.
On October 15, 2018, the Albany Times Union published Apartments planned next to Slingerland family vault.
On October 16,2018, Spectrum News aired the story Residents push back against development near Slingerlands burial site
On October 18, 2018, the Albany Times Union published Planning board 'disappointed' with Slingerlands apartment plan
On October 24, 2018 the Bethlehem Spotlight published Slingerlands residents do not welcome proposed apartments near historic family district
On March 21, 2019 the Albany Times Union published Slingerland vault group unveiling historical marker and watercolor
On April 4, 2019 the Albany Times Union published New watercolor vision, historical marker unveiled for Slingerland vault
On February 29, 2020 Beverwyck Archaeology published "Tales from the Field I: Crypt Archaeology" highlighting their effort at the Slingerland Family Burial Vault.
On September 8, 2021, the Albany Times Union published Slingerland family burial vault rededicated after four-year renovations
On September 9, 2021, WAMC Northeast Public Radio published Slingerland Family Burial Vault is Rededicated
On September 10, 2021, The Altamont Enterprise published Restored vault gives "hope of something new to come"