The Town of Chatham
Chatham, NY is a pastoral town at the northern edge of the Hudson River Valley. Perched close to the Taconic Parkway, Chatham does not look like a typical village in the Berkshires. Chatham is not the place to come for a Norman Rockwell snapshot but it just may be the answer to your quest for a simpler, slower paced life surrounded by productive and beautiful farms and a lively and fiercely loyal collection of delightfully diverse residents at its core.
It is the sense of community and a unique give and take among neighbors that has been turning weekenders into productive full-time residents for years. On a brief walk along Chatham’s main street you’ll find the quintessential French patisserie (Mado Patisserie) just steps from a local brewing company (Chatham Brewing). Drop into a particularly attractive art gallery and you might bump into one of the region’s finest architects. You’ll enjoy a bookstore, yarn shop and a choice spot for coffee.
You can’t miss the deliciously historical Crandell Theatre, one of the county’s oldest and largest movie theatres. This 534-seat theatre built in 1926 by Walter S. Crandell, was originally designed to be a vaudeville house. The theatre’s brick and stucco architecture offers an impressive Spanish design complete with arches and lanterns. The interior features a full stage with dressing rooms, a huge balcony, and an impressive orchestra pit with organ lofts on each side of the stage. It is argued, however, that the concession stand, providing freshly baked popcorn daily, is what really gives The Crandell its aura.
One of the most charming hamlets in the Hudson Valley is Old Chatham, NY. Stop by the Old Chatham Country Store, a landmark in the village square. Peruse the mouth-watering menu of freshly made house specialties and stock up on locally produced cheese, ice cream, maple syrup and dairy products.
The Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, in the rolling hills along Shaker Museum Road, makes another perfect stop. You will be greeted by the sound of more than 1000 East Friesian purebred and crossbred ewes welcoming visitors anytime.
Spruce Ridge Farm is another working farm that welcomes visitors. Raising alpaca is the focus here. Make a point to stop and enjoy the majesty of these beautiful creatures. Don’t miss the lovely shop where delightfully creative and wonderfully warm alpaca products fill the shelves.
A drive along the roads around Chatham, NY, will reveal an increasing number of fields and pastures organically managed to produce not only the highest quality food but to promote the health of surrounding streams and creeks as well. There is an unmistakable push to protect and conserve Chatham’s remaining open spaces. That effort is counterbalanced by equally strong projects devoted to renewing and reinvigorating local businesses. These activities are well underway and enjoy significant community-wide support. The folks of Chatham, NY, are quietly and steadily creating a new destiny. BerkshireStyle.com considers it a valuable member of the Berkshire Community.
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