Explore the mysterious stone chambers of Putnam County

There are structures made of stone in the woods of Putnam County. They aren’t the remnants of old houses or barns. These stone chambers, as they are called, are still a mystery.

Their origins and their purpose are surrounded by years of research, and, of course, local lore: they could be root cellars from colonial times, maintaining the right temperature with roof vents and a simple opening of the door; or they’re ancient sites associated with the Celts, Vikings or Indigenous people to align with the sun and moon for ceremonial events; or they’re of alien origin, according to some kids I grew up with in the area…

Some are 30 feet long and ten feet tall. They are all manmade, often built into hillsides, and constructed without any mortar to display their unique, corbelled entrance design. Their ceilings are “the most dramatic part,” according to one researcher, with large granite slabs as the roof, some fourteen feet long to stretch across the sidewalls. It is believed that there could be up to 200 stone chambers in Putnam County, with a few located in Westchester, as well as parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

And this weekend, we’re going to one!

The Putnam History Museum will be leading a two-part series on Putnam County’s Mysterious Stone Chambers on October 6-7, 2023, beginning with a panel discussion led by stone chamber experts followed by a hike to the Mead Farm Chambers in Putnam County.  

Stone Chambers Panel Discussion
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 7pm
Cost: $15 virtual, $28 non-members in person, $25 members
In-person at the Desmond Fish Public Library in Garrison and virtual via Zoom
Panelists include Chip Marks, Michael Menders, David Steinberg, Craig Watters, and Linda Zimmerman.

Guided History Hike of the Mead Farm Chambers
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 9am and 1pm
Cost: $20, $15 PHM members
Kent, NY (Registered hikers will receive more information the day of the event)

More info + register: https://www.putnamhistorymuseum.org/events/putnam-countys-mysterious-stone-chambers-panel-discussion-tours/

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