Welcome to Rensselaerville
We’ll teach you how to pronounce it, don’t worry.
Tucked into the Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County in upstate New York, Hilltown Commons spans 100 acres of historic land where woods, fields, and mountain views converge. Just steps from the Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve, the campus feels both expansive and intimate, a place where quiet trails, open skies, and turn-of-the-century buildings invite connection and creativity.
Only 2.5 hours from New York City and 3 hours from Boston, it’s easy to reach yet feels like stepping back in time.
With 50 rooms and 75 beds across five residences, the campus can host up to 100 guests, with spaces designed for gathering, focus, and rest. Just steps from our campus, the historic hamlet of Rensselaerville, founded in 1787, adds its own storybook charm.
● Housing
staying on campus
Hilltown Commons has five unique residences, blending late 1800s charm with 1970s retro touches. Cozy up in a room with vintage wallpaper, sunlit decks, or forest views. Each space invites rest, reading, and barefoot wandering through the trees.
Residences include: Huyck, Stonecrop, Straus, Ford, and the Cottage.
Each room features:
Private, en suite bathroom
Cozy linens and beds
Forest or mountain views
Vintage décor, from 1800s period features to 1970s retro wallpaper
Common features across residences:
Full kitchens in select buildings
Spacious lounges & meeting rooms
Decks, patios, and terraces with views
Fire pits for evening gatherings
Air conditioning & heating
Wifi throughout campus
Parking onsite
● Events & Meetings
Meeting & Collaboration Spaces
Hilltown Commons offers a variety of spaces for gathering, working, and connecting—both indoors and out.
The Gugg
The Guggenheim Pavilion features versatile spaces for workshops, conferences, and performances, including an 180-person theater, a Gallery & Event Space, two large meeting rooms, and a dozen private offices.
The Grounds
Set on 100 acres of historic estate bordering the Huyck Preserve, the campus offers year-round outdoor opportunities and inspiring spots for collaboration. Gather on the main lawn, porches, terraces, or among the trees for informal meetings, team-building exercises, or quiet reflection.
Flexible Spaces
When the campus is rented for groups, nearly every building becomes a potential gathering spot. Residence living rooms, lounges, and even porches can host small meetings, breakout sessions, or creative collaborations—giving teams endless possibilities to meet, connect, and collaborate.
● Dining
The Pub
Mealtimes at The Pub are fresh, seasonal, and full of flavor. Housed in the Huyck family’s original carriage house, this full-service restaurant serves up to 120 guests and is the heart of campus life. Whenever possible, ingredients are sourced from local farms, with menus designed to nourish and delight every appetite.
Our head chef specializes in gluten-free options and is attuned to creative alternatives for all allergens and dietary preferences. Favorites include braised beef, local steelhead trout, kale Caesar salad, and potato gratin, alongside seasonal, farm-fresh vegetables and sides.
● Activities
what to do on and around campus
Hilltown Commons offers plenty of ways to move, explore, and connect with the surrounding landscape and local community.
Swim & Kayak – Enjoy the waters of Lake Myosotis, part of the adjoining Huyck Preserve.
Tennis – Play on our newly renovated tennis court.
Hike the Huyck – Explore miles of trails across our 100-acre campus and the adjoining 2,000-acre Huyck Preserve.
Local Visits – Discover the Rensselaerville Library, Kuhar Family Farm, and Be Golden Farms for hands-on experiences and local flavor.
● Health & Wellness
onsite wellness
Our wellness offerings are guided by Emileigh Tanner, AHC, and Sarah Nelson, CYT — co-owners of our resident wellness collective. Together, they bring a deep and varied lineage of care: Ayurveda, yoga, integrative movement, plant medicine, sound healing, voicework, and Vedic tradition.
Sarah’s work is rooted in embodied movement and meditative practice, with a focus on neuromuscular awareness, chanting, and dharma coaching. Emileigh draws from Ayurvedic wisdom, land-based healing, and creative expression — tending to body, spirit, and soil alike.
Their shared approach is rooted, reverent, and alive — an invitation back to rhythm, breath, and belonging.
If you’re attending a retreat or workshop, you're already part of this rhythm: yoga, or a guided nature walk is included.
● Transport
Getting to and around campus
Driving is the easiest way to reach Hilltown Commons. Our remote location means having your own car makes arrival, departure, and getting around campus simple and flexible. While other options, like train or bus, are possible, there are no local cabs or ride shares, so arranging transportation back to a central hub is essential.
-
Driving is the best way to get to Hilltown Commons. Our campus is remote, and having your own car makes arriving, departing, and getting around much easier. There is plenty of onsite parking.
-
You can also take the train or bus to Hudson or Albany. Both are about a 45-minute drive from campus. Because there are no local cabs or ride shares, please let us know if you’ll need a pickup or haven’t arranged a car service so we can assist.
-
Flying into NYC or Albany is another option; from these central hubs, we recommend renting a car to reach campus. Because there are no local cabs or rideshares, please let us know if you’ll need a pickup or haven’t arranged a car service so we can assist.
● Contact
Schedule a TouR
Come see the magic for yourself. Whether you’re curious about daily life at camp or ready to explore our grounds in person, we’d love to show you around.