In 1970, Ellsworth Kelly moved his studio from Lower Manhattan to Chatham, New York – a modest farming town (pop. 4000) nestled 120 miles north of NYC, in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. There, he got all the inspiration needed to create 14 extraordinary L-shaped color-drenched paintings, called The Chatham Series. Over the years, the quiet rural town has also attracted composer Leonard Bernstein and photographer Sheila Metzner.

“There are no thrift stores or cool bars in Chatham, just tons of swimming holes and places to watch the sunset,” explains fashion casting director and longtime Chatham resident Jennifer Starr of its allure. Starr has cast just about every major ad campaign from Pirelli and Gucci, to Calvin Klein and The Gap – and for her, Chatham, with its wide-open farmland, is the place to escape it all. Here, the sun sets right into the field that surrounds her home, an 1830s one-room schoolhouse with an addition on top. Her immediate neighbors are cows, sheep, and a couple llamas: “I swear they know who I am every time I come back, and wonder where I’ve been.” 

Below, Starr discusses her favorite spots around town. In her own words:

The Kinderhook Creek is a short walk from my house.  There are the most beautiful swimming holes where you can just swim and swim, against the current.  And the best thing – it’s completely yours!  Yes, the land is probably private property, but if you know your neighbors, you’re in good shape.  The water is always the perfect temperature, and you feel like you’re in an upstate version of The Blue Lagoon.

Jackson's: It’s located in the center of Old Chatham, which consists of only the post office, the country store (which is great -- wonderful fresh muffins, local cheeses, and art exhibitions featuring local artists every two weeks!) --and Jackson’s. It’s the oldest restaurant/pub around. You can't beat the burgers!  From my house, located near Malden Bridge, it’s the only place to eat within a 10-minute drive.

The Summit: If you're more into cute healthy little cafes, The Summit is great. Fantastic salads, burritos, soup, and the best coffee, served by Ralph, who is the owner and will keep you abreast of what’s been going on. This place is more likely to be found in Venice, California, but I’m so glad it’s here.

Old Chatham Sheepherding Company: My favorite bike ride is along Shaker Museum Road, where you’ll find the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company.  Hundreds of white sheep dot acres of green fields with an occasional black sheep standing out in the middle.  The farm is open to the public, and you can go in and buy fresh cheese and yogurt, and see how they make it at the creamery. Or just pet the sheep. The store, like most farm stands upstate, is left unattended and functions on the honor system.  How wonderful is that?

The Crandell Movie Theatre: This is simply the coolest thing about Chatham.  It’s the oldest theatre in Columbia County, built in the 1930s in Spanish Style. It’s an architectural gem.  They just raised the price of admission for first-run films from $3 to $4, and a soda and popcorn will cost you another dollar each! Going to see a film here is a real experience.

Go There:

Starr’s directions to Chatham from NYC: “You take the West Side Highway all the way up to the Sawmill and then jump on the Taconic.  As soon as you get onto the Taconic, the trees seem to get taller and the air seems to get cleaner and your body seems to relax.  You need to lose yourself in the drive because you are on that road until almost the end -- two exits prior to hitting Albany you have the Chatham/Austerlitz exit … home.”

Jackson’s, Village Square; (518) 794-7373
The Summit, 20 Main St., (518) 392-3291
Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, 155 Shaker Museum Road; blacksheepcheese.com
The Crandell Movie Theatre, 46-48 Main St., (518) 392-3331

For overnight stays, Starr recommends both the Spencertown Country House Bed & Breakfast, County Route 9, Spencertown, NY; (518) 392-5292; spencertowncountryhouse.com and Wolfe’s Inn, 1461 Route 21, Ghent, NY; (518) 392-5218.