The history of the Catskill Region is as rich and diverse as the area’s beautiful scenery.  The name “Catskill” is believed to have derived from the Dutch word for “wildcat stream.”   The mountains, forests, lakes and rivers were originally important hunting grounds for Native Americans.  But not long after Henry Hudson’s first voyage up the “River of Mountains,” the Dutch and the French Huguenots in the mid-1600s settled into the region.  Later immigrants arrived from England, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain and the Ukraine.  Some were fur traders, sheep farmers, glassblowers and tradesmen, but all were seeking a better life in new terrain. 

The region’s wilderness has been a source of inspiration for centuries to adventurers, artists and writers who have explored it and discovered its mysteries.  The Hudson River School of Painting began here when the founder, Thomas Cole, captured the region’s beauty on canvas and then attracted painters to do the same.

The majestic scenery also inspired Washington Irving to pen “Rip Van Winkle.”  Considered the “father of ecology,” John Burroughs found the natural environment an impetus to educate Americans on the value of conservation.   This creative spirit inspired travelers to discover the region firsthand – and led to new resorts and country estates for some of the nation’s elite, such as the Rockefellers, the Gherrys and the Ghoulds.

The town of Woodstock drew creative people in the early 20th century.  In 1902, Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead, an Englishman and follower of John Ruskin, founded the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony and attracted such illustrious visitors as Thomas Mann and Isadora Duncan.  Today, you can enjoy a walking tour of the Arts & Crafts cottages and its theater.  If you’re an artist, you can further develop your creative spirit here.

The oldest chamber music series in the country, Maverick, was founded in Woodstock in 1916 by author Hervey White, who also was one of Byrdcliffe’s founders – and his progressive, bohemian outdoor festivals were considered to be the precursor of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival, world-famous as a peaceful gathering of musicians and fans who celebrated the “flower power” generation.   Although the festival was actually held in the nearby town of Bethel, the name “Woodstock” was used to reflect the town’s reputation as a magnet for artists, craftspeople and musicians.  Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Todd Rundgren, Pete Seeger, and the folk trio of Peter, Paul and Mary found inspiration in this artistic community. 

The Catskill Region also has become a haven for Buddhist retreats, which have drawn celebrities and stressed-out urbanites seeking a serene place to mediate, pray or practice yoga.  John Lennon and Yoko Ono had sought solace and reflection around Meredith in Delaware County. 

A new generation of authors, actors, musicians, business executives and regular folk find the region a perfect place to unwind and recharge.  Stargazers in the Catskill Region will not only enjoy the clear, unpolluted night skies, but they also may even spot famous stars at any time of day, such as Kelsey Grammer, Edie Falco, Iman, David Bowie, Alan Cumming, Uma Thurman, Christian Slater and Mark Ruffalo among others.