The property consisted of flat alluvial farmlands, orchards, mills, a store, and ferry rights to Albany.

The fields and farm buildings at Crailo were used to quarter British and colonial troops as early as 1694 and at intervals during each of the French and Indian wars.

The inhabitants of Albany witnessed this assault from across the river but troops were unable to cross in time to defend Greenbush.

In 1751 and 1754 Captain van Rensselaer provided candles and firewood to the colonial garrisons at Albany and Schenectady.

Exhibits include clothing, furniture, household and decorative items, and archaeological artifacts from "New Netherland" historic sites in New York and New Jersey.