In the 1930s and 40s, New York City came to the Catskills and took land they needed to build reservoirs for their expanding water supply system. Thousands of people’s lives changed forever, as they were forced to move away from family and friends and the homes they loved.
To honor those who lost their lands and to preserve and interpret the area’s farming history, in 2018 the Time and the Valleys Museum opened the 1930s Lost Catskill Farm, with displays in a farm house, milk house, electric plant and workshop with working waterwheel.
The Museum is now entering the second phase of the farm on additional donated land, which is hoped to include ten more farm outbuildings, fencing, gardens and a pavilion to help tell the story of farming in 1930s Catskills more thoroughly.
Buildings to be included in the second phase are a hen house, smoke house, root cellar, sap house, working saw mill and more. All of the historic buildings have been identified, and are scheduled to move to the farm this summer. Also planned is a large pavilion to provide a covered area for groups to gather for programs and to eat lunch.
A kiosk will be installed next to the pavilion focusing on a description of the NYC watershed and the current partnership programs between watershed communities/farmers and the NYC DEP.
The Museum is accepting monetary and in-kind donations for this ambitions project, which has an opening date of spring, 2021. Naming opportunities for buildings and many other donor recognition opportunities are available.
For more information on the plans for this exciting farm expansion and the help needed, call (845) 985-7700, email: info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org or go visit the museum’s website.
The 1930s Lost Catskill Farm is located at 332 Main Street (St. Rt. 55), Grahamsville, NY.
Photo of Display in the 1870s restored barn on the Lost Catskill Farm provided.
Leave a Reply