Spring Glen Synagogue
Why it's listed
Set among Catskills bungalow colonies in the hamlet of Spring Glen, this small two-story wood-frame synagogue was built about 1916-1918 for the local Jewish community. Congregation members worked alongside local builders named Belmont and Hasbrouck, and members reportedly gathered the gravel and mixed the concrete for the foundation themselves. The gabled building carries Star of David details on the roof peak, portico and facade window, and a 1960s addition holds restrooms. Inside, a single sanctuary follows orthodox tradition, with a central bimah, pews facing the ark and a ladies gallery. The carved and gilt ark features Lions of Judah. The building mixes eastern European religious planning with the look of middle-class houses of the period, much like the bungalows around it. It served farmers, resort owners and summer guests, and it remains in use as a house of worship, with its original detailing largely intact beneath later aluminum siding.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a representative example of an early twentieth century synagogue in the Catskill Mountain region. Its plan follows eastern European orthodox tradition, while its forms and materials resemble middle-class domestic architecture and the nearby bungalow colonies. It served the Jewish farmers, resort owners and guests of Spring Glen and retains 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 98001622, listed January 15, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Old NY 209, Spring Glen |
|---|---|
| County | Ulster County |
| Listed | January 15, 1999 |
| Reference number | 98001622 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1916-18 |
| Architect / builder | unknown (built by congregation members and local builders named Belmont and Hasbrouck) |
| Architectural style | no style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still serves its congregation as a place of worship; retains high integrity, with non-historic aluminum siding the only significant change. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.66642, -74.42996 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
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 98001622.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7580521
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.