After the war, Van Rensselaer continued his service on the Erie Canal Commission, and between 1820 and 1823 commissioned an agricultural and geological survey of the canal's surroundings, at his own expense.
He also held many significant posts after the war.
In 1820, he was elected president of the state Board of Agriculture.
 Also in 1820, he was an incorporator of the Albany Savings Bank, and was elected to serve as the bank's president.

In 1824, Van Rensselaer was one of the organizers of the Albany Institute, and was elected its president.
 This organization later merged with another to form the Albany Institute of History & Art.
 He was also active in the American Lyceum organization, and served as its president.

When the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company received its corporate charter from the State of New York in 1830, Van Rensselaer was an original incorporator, and he went on to serve as a member of the company's board of directors.
 New York Life Insurance and Trust operated until 1922, when it merged with the Bank of New York to become the Bank of New York & Trust Company.

Following the 1834 death in France of the Marquis de Lafayette, Van Rensselaer was appointed marshal for the Albany-area commemorations.
 He led the parade of militia members, fire fighters, Revolutionary War veterans and others, which culminated in speeches and a eulogy by William Buell Sprague.
After the war, Van Rensselaer continued his service on the Erie Canal Commission, and between 1820 and 1823 commissioned an agricultural and geological survey of the canal's surroundings, at his own expense. He also held many significant posts after the war. In 1820, he was elected president of the state Board of Agriculture.  Also in 1820, he was an incorporator of the Albany Savings Bank, and was elected to serve as the bank's president.
In 1824, Van Rensselaer was one of the organizers of the Albany Institute, and was elected its president.  This organization later merged with another to form the Albany Institute of History & Art.  He was also active in the American Lyceum organization, and served as its president.
When the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company received its corporate charter from the State of New York in 1830, Van Rensselaer was an original incorporator, and he went on to serve as a member of the company's board of directors.  New York Life Insurance and Trust operated until 1922, when it merged with the Bank of New York to become the Bank of New York & Trust Company.
Following the 1834 death in France of the Marquis de Lafayette, Van Rensselaer was appointed marshal for the Albany-area commemorations.  He led the parade of militia members, fire fighters, Revolutionary War veterans and others, which culminated in speeches and a eulogy by William Buell Sprague.
Stephen Van Rensselaer