Camp Wapanachki
Also known as: Zen Mountain Monastery
Why it's listed
Camp Wapanachki is a large retreat house on the south slope of Mount Tremper in Shandaken, Ulster County, New York, overlooking the Esopus River valley. Built in two phases between about 1935 and 1938, it combines a four-story wood frame and stone main block with a two-story bluestone section holding a dining hall and chapel. Features include carved oak fascia, an undulating roof, chip-carved window sash, oversized plank doors with hand-wrought hardware showing local plants and animals, and an eleven-foot wooden statue of Christ set in a niche above an outdoor amphitheater. Father Joseph Scully, a Catholic priest, bought the land in 1921 and developed the retreat; V.L.S. Haffner is the architect named on the blueprints. After 1938 it became a boys' summer camp, later run by Lutheran and other groups, and since 1980 it has housed a Zen Buddhist monastery. It was listed for its Arts and Crafts design, natural materials, craftsmanship and setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the retreat house embodies the Arts and Crafts aesthetic, blended with traditional Scandinavian design features. It cites the use of local natural materials, hand-worked ornament, the siting in a rural setting, and the interior plan. The building is also described as retaining a high degree of integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 94001372, listed November 25, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S. Plank Rd. (Old Co. Rt 28) at jct. with Miller Rd., Shandaken, Mt. Tremper |
|---|---|
| County | Ulster County |
| Listed | November 25, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94001372 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1925-1938 |
| Architect / builder | Haffner, V.L.S., Architect |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts (with Scandinavian design features) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a Zen Buddhist monastery (Zen Mountain Monastery); the property includes 17 non-contributing modern cabins and a non-contributing gazebo. |
| Acreage | 235 |
| Coordinates | 42.04838, -74.27394 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 94001372.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8068957
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.