Chatham: Local History, Art and Active Days

Chatham brings together a rich local history, distinctive buildings, art installations and opportunities for outdoor activity. The historic cinema on Main Street, traces of the railroad era and Crellin Community Park represent different sides of the town. Those considering Chatham as a vacation destination can choose to focus on culture and history, or on water and outdoor activities.

A Village with a Changing Name and Railroad History

The village of Chatham was incorporated as Chatham Four Corners in 1847 and received its current name in 1869. The railroad is also part of the town’s history: from the 1850s to the 1950s, Chatham was an important main-line station on the Boston & Albany. Union Station was built in 1887, during the town’s heyday as a railroad hub. The railroad is therefore one of the defining chapters of local history.

A Cinema, a Clock and Buildings with Different Stories

The Crandell Theatre is a historic cinema dating from 1926 on Main Street. It is considered the oldest and largest single-screen cinema in Columbia County. Its distinctive status makes the Crandell Theatre a cultural destination in its own right when visiting Chatham.

Cady’s Hall also has a history of changing uses. Built in 1871, the building has served, at various points in its history, as an opera house, a venue for vaudeville performances and films, a place for dances and military drills, a roller-skating rink and a miniature golf course. Its range of uses shows how varied the history of a single gathering place can be. Another historical landmark is the distinctive pendulum clock in the Clocktower: it dates from 1872 and remains in its original condition.

Tracy Memorial Village Hall was built in 1912 as a gift from the Tracy family to the village. The Central Square Building, meanwhile, was built in 1815 as the Park Hotel and was later called the Windsor Hotel. The 1811 Inn is the oldest building in Chatham; it operated as a hotel and tavern. Together, these buildings offer a glimpse into different chapters of local history, from an early inn to later public and community buildings.

Discover Art, the Library and Local History

The grounds of PS21 in Chatham are home to two site-specific art installations: James Casebere’s Solo Pavilion for Two or Three and Dandelions by Silda Wall Spitzer and Tim Jones. Their different titles and creators offer a concrete introduction to the art found here. Those who would rather focus on Chatham’s history can also include a self-guided historical walking tour in their plans. The Chatham Village Historical Society has organized historical tours and presentations about local history; these offerings are distinct from the self-guided tour.

The Chatham Public Library is connected to another chapter of the town’s history. Completed in 1905, it was built with a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, secured by John Wheeler and William Howland. For travelers particularly interested in architectural history and public institutions, this background adds to the picture of Chatham beyond its historic hotels and gathering places.

Water and Outdoor Activities at Crellin Community Park

Crellin Community Park in the Town of Chatham has a swimming pond and a beach. It also features a fitness and nature trail, a concrete skatepark and pump tracks. The park brings together different kinds of activities: a visit by the water offers a different experience from a walk on the trail or time in the skatepark. Which of these options you want to shape your stay may factor into choosing a focus for your trip.

Those who choose Chatham for its local history, cinema and art will find different ways to enjoy the area than those primarily interested in the park’s swimming pond, beach and activity facilities. When looking for a vacation rental, you can make Chatham the focus of your search and consider which of these interests matters most for your trip. These places and themes offer different reasons to combine your stay with culture, history or outdoor activities.

Other Places

Other places at the same level: Copake, East Chatham, Hudson, Hollowville, Ghent, New Lebanon.

To the overview of the wider area: Columbia.