History

Pat's Barn is a 200-year-old landmark that's part of the historic DeFreest Homestead, built by Dutch settlers in the mid-18th century. The Barn was fully restored and renovated in 2009 and features the original hand-hewn beams. Pat's Barn is open all year round.

The homestead, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, also includes a brick house, where the Rensselaer Technology Park Campus administrative offices are now located.

The DeFreest Homestead has been a longtime interest of honorary trustee C. Sheldon Roberts '48, cofounder of Fairchild Semiconductor, and especially of his wife, Patricia. Mrs. Roberts took the initiative to preserve this rich piece of history. The Barn is appropriately named in her honor.

Nestled among tall trees and manicured gardens in a quiet corner of the Rensselaer Technology Park Campus, Pat's Barn is a distinctive, multipurpose venue that's ideal for conferences, daylong retreats, and other corporate and social functions. The unique architecture and layout of the two-floor, 5,000-square-foot facility offer an open and serene atmosphere with flexible seating that accommodates plenary and breakout sessions.

The Barn's large windows provide plenty of natural daylight that further adds to a warm, relaxed setting. In addition to large spaces ideal for group meetings and other corporate events of up to 200 guests, Pat's Barn has other segregated spaces for smaller gatherings.