Earlier this summer, the Greene County Historical Society (GCHS) announced a grant award of $887,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the organization’s adaptive reuse of the Meadow Ridge Heritage Barn. This matching grant is part of a capital project funding announcement by NYSCA, which totals over $82 million to 132 arts and culture facilities across New York State.

“New York’s powerful arts and culture sector is a formidable asset,” Governor Hochul said. “Our continued investments in museums, theaters and art centers generate incredible returns — sparking innovation, boosting local economies, driving visitors and making us the global epicenter of arts and culture.”

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin said, “We know that when the arts flourish, communities follow — bringing energy, creating jobs, expanding accessibility, and increasing tourism. This grant program is a critical investment in our creative sector, empowering our creative community and inspiring innovation. Congratulations to all the grantees, we look forward to seeing these diverse projects develop all throughout the state.”

The story of the Meadow Ridge Heritage Barn began in the summer of 2017, when GCHS acquired an original 19th-century hay barn that stood along Route 81 in Coxsackie, several miles from the Society’s headquarters at the Bronck Museum. Over the course of three years, the historic barn was carefully dismantled, relocated to the Bronck Museum grounds, and reconstructed on the site of a historic hay barn that once stood there.

“The generous NYSCA grant will now allow the Society to transform the interior space into a multi-use performance and events space. The building will significantly expand our community outreach, programs, events, and performances,” said Christine Byas, President of GCHS.

To celebrate this exciting milestone, Christine Byas invites members of the community to join her and the Greene County Historical Society on Sunday, October 4th at 3 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official kickoff of the project. The ceremony will take place inside the Meadow Ridge Heritage Barn during the Bronck Museum’s Annual Heritage Craft Fair.

The Society looks forward to sharing this exciting next chapter in the story of the Meadow Ridge Heritage Barn and bringing this historic building to life as a vibrant new space for programs, performances, special events, and community gatherings for years to come.

About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award over $161 million in FY 2027, serving hundreds of arts organizations and artists across all 10 state regions. The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.