FAQ

Read our COVID-19 statement here.

Originally built in 1880 as a forge and foundry for steel railway wheels (later housing a glue factory until the 1980s), the building has since been stripped down to its architectural bones: industrial windows, brick walls, terracotta ceiling tiles and an intricate steel truss system.

In a spiritual meeting of minds in 2010, previous owner/visionary Patrick Doyle approached Basilica Hudson founders Melissa Auf der Maur and Tony Stone to take over the building. They began to fill the commanding space with the work of artists they love, starting with music and film. Over the course of the new few years, complementary programs in visual art, performance, regional food and culture were added to Basilica’s seasonal offerings.

Basilica Hudson’s vision has taken shape thanks to our many partners, collaborators, visiting artists, friends, adventurous audiences and community members. This process has been equally informed and inspired by the city of Hudson’s eclectic and epic history. Basilica continues to evolve in tandem with the city of Hudson’s ongoing transformation.

Basilica is honored to pursue and expand upon Patrick Doyle’s original mission: to utilize the building as a platform for unconventional art experiences. Patrick acquired the building in 2000 and bravely gutted and stripped it of its glue factory insides. He brought life into the building, transforming it into a gathering space for the local community, with music, art shows and theater. 2003 ushered in Basilica’s first significant music event, as Patti Smith gave a benefit concert for The Friends of Hudson Foundation in protest against the development of a massive cement plant that would have occupied Hudson’s beautiful waterfront in Basilica’s backyard. The fight against the plant was successful — environment and community over profit!

Having gained 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2015, the organization continues to grow and evolve sustainably, affording the residents of Hudson and beyond ample opportunity to engage and exchange down at the Hudson waterfront for years to come.

Land Acknowledgment

It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, speaking and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people, who are the indigenous people of this land. Despite tremendous hardship in being forced from here, today their community resides in Wisconsin and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We pay honor to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all. We respect the enduring relationships that exist between indigenous people and the land and waterways. To learn more, please visit https://www.mohican.com/. 

Basilica Hudson is incredibly accessible from all directions! Minutes from I-87 Exit 21 in Catskill Mountain Region, 4 hours south of Montreal, 2 hours north of New York City, 3 hours west of Boston, 30 miles south of Albany International Airport

Carpooling is the most affordable way to get to Hudson. It’s a two-hour drive from NYC, and with a full car and one tank of gas, you are here cheap and fast! Don’t have a car? Sign up for ZipCar.

Amtrak is the most fun way to travel to Hudson. A beautiful two-hour trip from Penn Station, the train runs along the Hudson River. Basilica Hudson is conveniently located 400 feet south of the Hudson Amtrak station. Because trains sell out quickly and prices increase with demand, we recommend booking ASAP. 

Walking from Hudson Amtrak Station: Turn right out of the train station, walk the length of about 2 – 3 blocks. Basilica will be across the road on your left.

No. The closest ATMs are at the Hudson Amtrak station (daytime), The Antique Warehouse (daytime), and the Half Moon Bar (nighttime), all in a few minutes walking distance.

Yes, Basilica includes ADA-accessible entrances, exits, and bathrooms. Both the Main Hall and the Back Gallery Building are accessible for all visitors: both of the ground-level buildings have ramped access at ADA compliant entry points and integrated and dispersed wheelchair seating areas. All areas, internal and external, are wheelchair accessible, including exhibition areas, restrooms, assembly and seating areas, box office, concessions, and parking areas. Restrooms are equipped with wheelchair‐accessible toilet stalls and accessible sinks, soap, and paper dispensers. Emergency exits are indicated via large-scale, high-contrast signage and exit lights, and all buildings are outfitted with audio/visual emergency alarms. Basilica’s parking areas contain designated accessible parking spaces with adjoining curb cuts, and an accessible pathway from parking to the venue entrances. Basilica’s Main Hall stage is accessible via ramp; performing artists have access to a ground-level/no-step dressing room.

Accommodations for performances, panel discussions, artist talks, and video screenings can be made available for any performance or program. Visitors are invited to RSVP via phone or email with requests for accommodations or to request texts of verbal programs or print materials on computer disks.

RSVP email for accessibility requests: info@basilicahudson.org or call (518) 822-1050.

Located on the Hudson River and surrounded by the Catskill Mountains, the City of Hudson offers a full range of great food, art galleries, music venues and shops of all kinds. With its exceptionally beautiful landscape, the Hudson Valley is a cultural meeting place for artists, architects, farming and food enthusiasts, environmental advocates and music lovers. Warren Street is home to a variety of restaurants– from casual to extravagant, with coffee shops and bakeries along the way. Learn more at visithudsonny.com.

Our programs would not be possible without the vital support of our incredible volunteers. Join a great team of people and have fun! Please fill out our contact form with the following information:

• Any relevant experience
• Skills, for example:
  • People skills (friendly, outgoing)
  • Selling tickets, balancing cash drawer
  • Paperwork (forms, number crunching)
  • Creative thinking (problem solving, proactive)
  • Food service, waitstaff
  • Very good computer skills (ex: Web, Social Media, Editing or
  • Graphic programs)
  • Other
• Possession of driver’s license and/or reliable transportation
• Availability

Visit the rentals website.

If you are a nonprofit or local community organization, please fill out our contact form. For all commercial rentals (film shoots, photoshoots, weddings, corporate retreats etc.), visit the rentals website.

Please emails our PR manager, Leslie Hermelin lesliehermelin@gmail.com

Please email admin@basilicahudson.org and we can send you more information.