COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: FAITH AND CITIZENSHIP AT THE CORNERSTONE

Catskill has demonstrated strong community character from the beginning, even when tensions between Dutch and English speakers dominated its first century. Following an 1810 edict that all church sermons be preached in the nation's main tongue, the town became known as a center for rising politicians, the area's best schools, many churches, and new community organizations.

Among the town's leading political figures, were a host of Congressmen, from John Ashley Griswold and our own John Adams (not related to that other one from Massachusetts) to John H. Bagley and Thomas Burrage Cooke, who not only rose from local politics but came back to it, after doing national service. Why? Because the town's civic life has always been strong.

While governor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to the Community Theatre, to speak to what had long been a Democratic bastion. More recently, we've had visits from George Pataki and Senator Hillary Clinton. Why come here? Because the town's political and governmental history, from its illustrious beginnings to its more recent transformation of Main Street, has always been about stability and vision. Similarly, just as Catskill has always had its share of news media from the 1792 founding of the Catskill Packet, we've always had the best local banks (a necessity for any strong county seat), one of the Hudson Valley's first group of Freemasons (the Harmony Lodge, since 1797), a Library, since 1803. And, eventually a Mechanical Society formed during the invention-heavy 19th century.

Following the founding of the first churches in the late 17th century, religion has always had a strong hold on the town, from the early 18th century predominance of the Catskill United Methodist Church through the 1853 founding of St. Patrick's Catholic Church to the more recent founding of the Mountain River Christian Church in the last century.

Groups like the Heart of Catskill Association strengthened this community foundation, bringing residents and businesses together, to look at what unites the town, village, newcomers, old-timers, in ways that constantly reinforce Catskill's strengths. New organizations offer means of involvement to all stripes that care about its community. As the Village moves toward its 300th year, Catskill is solidly planted with a promise of a brighter future.

Walking Tour: To take self-guided walking tour of Main Street Catskill, click here.

Lodging: To find a lodging facility, click here.

Dining: To find a dining facility, click here.