Irish Cultural Center

The lovely Greek revival building that houses The Spencertown Academy was built in 1847 as an Academy for the training of young men and women to become teachers. It was founded by Dr. Timothy Woodbridge, who was pastor of Saint Peter's Church across the Village Green from the Academy. Woodbridge was a grandson of Stockbridge preacher Jonathan Edwards and a cousin of Aaron Burr. Woodbridge became blind while studying at Williams College. The money to build the Academy was raised by Dr. Woodbridge from members of the community. The Academy was designed and built by Benjamin Ambler. In about 1879 the Academy became a Union Free School, a two-room schoolhouse for the children of Spencertown grades one through eight. It remained a school until 1970 when the children were bussed into Chatham. In 1972, seeking to save the classic building, a group of concerned citizens and artists formed the Spencertown Academy Society and established cultural center which serves the community with arts events, classes and exhibits, and has also been restoring the building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

New York Folklore Society is a non-profit organization based in Schenectady, NY, dedicated to promoting and preserving the diverse folk cultural expressions of New York State. Through education, support, and outreach, they encourage the appreciation and understanding of traditional arts and culture among all residents of New York. With a history dating back to 1945, New York Folklore Society produces publications, programs, and events that showcase the rich folklore traditions of the state. They provide support services and advocacy for folk artists, offer training and mentoring opportunities, and operate a consignment gallery featuring works from local artists. Their commitment to cultural equity and community-based skills building makes them a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring and celebrating New York's diverse heritage.Generated from the website