New Lebanon is in Columbia County, New York, on the border with the Berkshire County, Massachusetts. New Lebanon was the main spiritual home of the Shakers, a Christian sect who practice a celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, uniform charismatic worship, and equality of the sexes. They are also known for their simple living, architecture, technological innovation, and furniture.
Understand
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New Lebanon is in Upstate New York. It began as a community in Canaan, from which it split of from in 1818. Canaan is now a separate town to the south. To the east of New Lebanon is Hancock, Massachusetts, to the north is Stephentown, and to the west is Chatham. The hamlet of West Lebanon borders the northwest portion of the town, and the hamlet of East Chatham - which is part of Canaan and Chatham - lies to the southwest. To the northwest is Nassau, including the village of East Nassau. The town has several historic sites, the most notable being the remnants of Mount Lebanon Shaker Village. The town was also the birthplace of New York governor and US presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden.
Get in
[edit]The major roads through New Lebanon are US Route 20, County Routes 5, 9, and 34, and New York Route 22. Other than motor vehicle travel in, bus tickets can be purchased at reasonable prices.
Route 20 is the primary street by which to enter West Lebanon. County Route 9, coming from East Chatham, merges into Route 20 in West Lebanon.
Get around
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Motor vehicle is the easiest means of travel, and cycling is also possible.
West Lebanon is situated on US Route 20, so taking this highway will get you through the town.
See
[edit]- 1 The Darrow School, 110 Darrow Rd (take either Shaker Road from where it intersects with US Route 20 / New York 22, or take Darrow Road off of Route 20 near the Hancock border.), ☏ +1 518 704-2760. Many of the historic buildings of the Mount Lebanon Shaker community now belong to Darrow School, including the iconic 1824 Meeting House. Tours can be arranged through phone call.
- 2 [dead link] Cemetery of the Evergreens, 382 Cemetery Rd (Take New York Route 20, turn onto the street next to New Lebanon High School across from Church of Our Saviour), ☏ +1 (518) 937-8214, [email protected]. Cemetery grounds which includes a funerary monument to Gov. Samuel J. Tilden, a New York governor and US Presidential candidate in the 1876 election. The monument is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 3 Church of Our Saviour, 14660 NY-22 (along New York Route 22, across from Cemetery of the Evergreens), ☏ +1 518 794-8702. A historic Episcopalian church built between 1872 and 1881. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 4 Elisha Gilbert House, US Route 20 (at the intersection of US Route 20 and Bicknell Hollow Road). Private residence. The massive, two-story home was built in 1794 and features Federal style architecture.
- 5 Lebanon Springs Union Free School, NY 22 (New York Route 22 east of junction with Cemetery Road). Built in 1913, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Do
[edit]- 1 Lebanon Valley Speedway, 1746 US-20 (Right along US Route 20), ☏ +1 (518) 794-9606. Racing speedway
- 2 Shaker Museum Mount Lebanon (Mount Lebanon Shaker Village), 202 Shaker Road (take US 20 south from the town center, or north from Hancock; turn onto Darrow Road, which will merge into Shaker Road; or take Shaker Road at the intersection with US 20/New York 22 (West Street will be across from Shaker Road)), ☏ +1 518 794-9100, [email protected]. Hiking and self-guided tours available all year. The Visitor Center and guided tours are seasonably available. A museum at the historic site of the North Family of the New Lebanon Shakers. The Shaker society based in New Lebanon served as the headquarters for all Shakers in the entire country, which included some 19 major communities from stretching from Indiana to Kentucky to Maine. Residents of New Lebanon and Caanan, New York, and Hancock, Massachusetts, converted to the Shaker faith in 1780, and in 1787 the new leader of the Shakers, Joseph Meacham, organized a headquarters in New Lebanon. He appointed Lucy Wright, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to co-equally share in the leadership responsibilities. The Shaker society at New Lebanon persisted until 1947, when the Shakers dissolved the settlement. The historic site was labeled a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and in 2004 and 2006 was listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100 most endangered historic sites in the world. The museum today includes 10 original buildings, the most notable of which is the famous 1859 Great Stone Barn, which was heavily damaged in a fire in 1972 and is now undergoing a long-term restoration. The museum also hosts the most comprehensive Shaker collection in existence, having absorbed the collection of the former Shaker Museum in nearby Old Chatham. See other Shaker villages in the northeast United States, including the neighboring Hancock Shaker Village, through the itinerary Touring Shaker country.
- 3 The Theater Barn, 654 US-20 (on US Route 20, near Lebanon Springs Car Wash), ☏ +1 518 7948989, [email protected]. A non-profit local live theatre.
- 4 The Abode of the Message, 5 Abode Road (take Darrow Road from Route 20 near the border with Hancock, or else merge onto Darrow Road from Shaker Road, which is also accessible at its intersection with US Route 20/New York Route 22 and West Street), ☏ +1 518 794-8095, [email protected]. A Universal Sufi community founded in 1975 by Vilayat Inayat Khan. Most of the buildings on the property were built by the New Lebanon Shakers, and tours can be arranged. Spiritual retreats of various lengths can be scheduled, and spaces for conferences are offered.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Berkshire Thrift, 435 Columbia Pike (along US Route 20/New York Route 22), ☏ +1 518 527-5775, [email protected]. A local community thrift store that functions like a non-for-profit.
- 2 Masterpiece Jewelry Studio, 2557 County Route 5 (on the junction of US Route 20 and County Route 5), ☏ +1 518 794-0007, [email protected]. Jewelry store
- 3 Kendall House, 423 Rt 20 (on US Route 20/Columbia Pike, at the intersection with New York Route 20), ☏ +1 518 794-3322, [email protected]. Antique store.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Smitty's Pizza and Subs, 882 US-20 (on US Route 20).
- 2 Jimmy D's Pizza Royal and Restaurant, 531 Columbia Pike Route 20 (On US Route 20), ☏ +1 518 794-8161. Su M W 11AM – 8PM, Th F Sa 11AM – 9PM, closed Tuesday.
- 3 Blueberry Hill Market & Cafe, 515 US-20 (along US Route 20). M Tu closed; W-Su 9AM - 3PM. Carryout only.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Roaring 20s Brewery and Taphouse, 565 Columbia Pike (on US Route 20), ☏ +1 518 794-5020, [email protected].
- 2 M and M's Tap and Tavern, 501 State Route 20 (along US Route 20), ☏ +1 518 794-6102. M 4-9PM, Tu 11:30AM-10PM, W 11:30AM-10PM, Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-10PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-9PM.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hitchcock House B and B, 14163 Rte. 22 South (along New York Route 22, near the border with Caanan, New York), ☏ +1 518 794-8826. The house is a restored Shaker-built house from 1797. Energy is produced through solar power, and Wi-Fi is offered. Situated in 123 acres with ponds, meadows, mountain trails, and gardens.
- 2 Donnelly House, Cty. Rt. 5 (take New York Route 22, then turn onto County Route 5). A superhost on Air BnB. The house was built in 1760 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 3 Red Robin Song Guest House, 94 Schoolhouse Road (if on US Route 20 westbound, turn south and left onto Frenchs Hill Road, which will intersect with Schoolhouse Road, or else turn left onto Schoolhouse Road when in West Lebanon; if going westbound on County Route 34, you will enter East Chatham and be on Hand Hollow Road. Schoolhouse Road will appear on the right, you will see Raven & Boar Farm, turn onto Schoolhouse Road and continue on until your destination), ☏ +1 518 794-0186, [email protected]. Check-in: After 3PM, check-out: noon. A vegan bed & breakfast. You can also visit the Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary and Beaver Rescue.
- 4 Shadowbrook Farm, 2479 County Rte 5 (take County Route 5 off of US Route 20 and continue until reaching your destination), ☏ +1 516 366-4006, [email protected]. A restored 18th-century Shaker barn that has been converted into a guest house. There is also a farm store, and guests have access to the farm grounds.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Visit the nearby New York towns of Canaan, Chatham, Nassau, and Stephentown. Hancock, Massachusetts, is also a short drive away, bordering New Lebanon. It can be reached by US Route 20.