By Marlene McTigue
Capital Region Independent Media
PRATTSVILLE—Tucked into the northernmost peaks of the Catskills, in the far western corner of Greene County, lies the picturesque town of Prattsville, NY. With a population of fewer than a thousand, this small community is a perfect destination for an autumn day trip to the mountains.
At the heart of Prattsville, located on State Route 23 (also known as Main Street), stands the Zadock Pratt Museum, dedicated to preserving and sharing the story of this mountaintop community and its remarkable founder, Zadock Pratt.
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ZADOCK PRATT
Born in 1790 in Stephentown, Rensselaer County, Zadock Pratt Jr. is credited with putting Prattsville on the map.
According to town historian Carolyn Bennett, Pratt was a man of vision, ambition, and relentless entrepreneurial spirit. His business acumen was evident even as a young boy, when he began picking and selling huckleberries.
“By the time he died, he was the seventh richest man in America,” Bennett said. “When he was a young boy, he apprenticed to a saddler in Durham and saved money by sleeping under the counter. He just had that drive about him.”
Pratt rose to prominence as a captain of industry by establishing the world’s largest tannery in the area, previously known as Schohariekill, powered by the abundant hemlock trees of the Catskills. His tannery fueled not only his personal fortune but also the rapid growth of Prattsville itself. Amazingly for the time, hides were shipped to his tannery from South America, according to Bennett.
“Prattsville was also one of New York state’s, and actually one of America’s, first planned communities,” Bennett said. “He wasn’t just in the tannery business—he was part owner of the stores, so when you bought something, he was making money.”
Pratt’s shrewd business sense made him one of the wealthiest men in America by the time of his death.
To ensure the continued growth of his industrial achievements, Pratt understood the importance of building a strong, enduring community.
“Pratt said, ‘If I build a town with churches, schools, roads and trees, people will come to live, and they’ll stay.’ He wasn’t just building a tannery; he was building a community and his legacy,” Bennett noted.
Pratt’s contributions were numerous. In 1843, amid a banking crisis, he founded his own bank and placed his likeness on its currency. He also launched the Prattsville Advocate newspaper in 1842 and established the Prattsville Academy.
PRATT ROCK
One of the most significant landmarks of Pratt’s legacy is Pratt Rock, a series of stone carvings commissioned by Pratt himself on a cliffside overlooking the town.
Often called “New York’s Mount Rushmore,” these carvings depict key aspects of Pratt’s life and accomplishments, including his tannery, and symbols like the Pratt coat of arms, his son George, a horse, and a hemlock tree.
Today, Pratt Rock is the focus of an ongoing restoration project led by a dedicated group of individuals within the community who are working to preserve this unique piece of American history. A key player in this effort is Michael Van Valkenburgh, a renowned landscape architect who grew up in the shadow of Pratt Rock. Van Valkenburgh was awarded the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His projects include the design of Brooklyn Bridge Park. He has fond memories of growing up in the area and was quick to jump on board when Bennett reached out to see if he would be interested in helping with the restoration.
“Whenever I walked to my grandparents’ house, I passed right by Pratt Rock,” Van Valkenburgh recalled. “I spent a lot of time there. When I came back after studying landscape architecture, I recognized the design elements in the park. It was like seeing the park with new eyes.”
Van Valkenburgh acknowledges that his early connection to Pratt Rock helped to inform his interests and shape his career, and he has now become a key advocate for its restoration. He also acknowledges there would be no restoration project without the dogged determination of Bennett and the community volunteers who work with her.
FUNDING THE RESTORATION
The restoration of Pratt Rock Park was made possible through a combination of funding sources. In April 2024, the town of Prattsville received a $125,000 state grant, providing a major boost to the restoration effort. This followed earlier funding approvals, including $27,700 from the town of Prattsville in May 2019 to enhance the park’s accessibility.
The Zadock Pratt Museum, in partnership with the town, has also played a critical role in securing financial support. In 2020, the museum raised $70,000 to complete Phase I of the restoration, which involved cleaning and restoring the rock sculptures. The project, led by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE IRENE
While Prattsville boasts a proud and storied history, it has faced significant challenges in recent years. In 2011, Hurricane Irene devastated the community, flooding the town and causing severe damage to homes, businesses, and the Zadock Pratt Museum. The museum lost much of its original furniture and artifacts, including Pratt’s original dining room set.
“We had open walls for years because we had to rip out the sheetrock, let it dry, and sand it down,” Bennett recalled. “People came in to see the wreckage.”
Despite the losses, the museum has worked tirelessly to rebuild, though the recovery is ongoing.
As Bennett reflects on the long road to recovery, she emphasizes the resilience of both the museum and the town itself.
“How long does it take to recover from a disaster?” she asked. “We’re still recovering. It took us ten years just to start restoring some of the buildings. But we’re lucky—many small museums don’t survive.”
A TOWN’S ONGOING STORY
The ongoing restoration of Pratt Rock is a testament to the town’s commitment to preserving its heritage while looking to the future and the dedication of the community members who keep moving the project forward.
“We’ve been trying to restore the park for years,” Bennett said. “With Michael Van Valkenburgh at the helm and the funding we’ve raised, we’re hopeful that we can complete the restoration by the end of 2025.”
Prattsville’s history is one of ambition, progress and persevering through setbacks. Through efforts like the Pratt Rock restoration, the town ensures that its legacy, like the carvings on its cliffside, remains etched in history for future generations.
Visitors can explore the Zadock Pratt Museum, which is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, visit www.zadockprattmuseum.org. Pratt Rock Park is also open during the restoration, offering a 3.1-mile round-trip walk that gains over 900 feet in elevation and provides spectacular views of the surrounding valley from several points along the trail. Parking is available at the trailhead.
