The best arts & culture spots in Orange County

Bear Painters is the locally owned, owner operated crew tackling interior and exterior jobs, cabinet painting, and drywall repair with meticulous prep and premium coatings.

From the Walden newsletter, October 13, 2026

Run by the all-volunteer Historical Society of Walden & the Wallkill Valley since 1958, Jacob T. Walden House is a historic stone house museum preserving Walden and Wallkill Valley history. Expect neighborly programs and events and the kind of community stewardship that quietly keeps our stories alive.

From the Montgomery newsletter, October 18, 2026

If you haven’t stepped inside Old School Baptist Meeting House, the 1810 Gothic Revival gem with the steeple you can spot from pretty much anywhere, you should. Wren-inspired lines, a replica wine-glass pulpit, and a save-by-the-neighbors backstory make it peak Warwick.

From the Warwick newsletter, October 14, 2026

Curious who’s rolling when the sirens pop off? The Port Jervis Fire Department keeps it transparent with pages on their firefighters, apparatus and facilities, upcoming events, photo highlights, and easy info on how to join, so you can support, get involved, or just admire the rigs like the rest of us.

From the Port Jervis newsletter, October 7, 2026

Winston Scott Gallery spotlights artists with thoughtful exhibitions and can actually help you land the right piece, thanks to art consulting, bespoke art, and custom printing. Perfect when that blank wall keeps staring back at you... they’ll help you find, commission, or print something that actually fits your space.

From the Warwick newsletter, October 7, 2026

Local artist Daniel Mack explores "Casual Alchemy" with object-making, writing, and reflective teaching. If Jungian curiosity and creative aging are on your mind, his imaginal tools and conversations might be the nudge your inner compass has been waiting for.

From the Warwick newsletter, October 9, 2026

Still owned by descendants of William Bull and Sarah Wells, The Bull Stone House is a living museum with Orange County’s only surviving New World Dutch Barn and a National Register nod. Book an appointment for a surprisingly fun dive into local roots, genealogy, and the people who literally built this place.

From the Goshen newsletter, October 8, 2026

William Bull & Sarah Wells keeps Chester’s roots very much alive at the Bull Stone House, a living museum built in 1722, still family-owned and lived in, with Orange County’s only New World Dutch barn and a National Register nod. Book an appointment for a low-key, fascinating dive into our own Colonial-era backyard.

From the Montgomery newsletter, October 7, 2026

Offices - The Warwick Historical Society keeps our town’s stories alive with walking tours, beautifully maintained historic properties, and a shop for local-history buffs. It’s an easy way to support preservation close to home, plus you can even rent spaces for events or weddings when you want something truly Warwick.

From the Warwick newsletter, October 21, 2026

Port Jervis Railroad Museum brings our rail town’s past to life with exhibits, historic equipment, and archives that dig deep into Erie Railroad history. Keep an eye out for events, a dining car experience, and restoration projects that make the site feel alive again.

From the Port Jervis newsletter, October 22, 2026

If you’ve been meaning to dust off those creative muscles, The Wallkill River Center for the Arts runs year-round classes for adults and kids, free events, a gallery spotlighting local talent, and keeps plein air painting alive with the annual Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival.

From the Montgomery newsletter, October 1, 2026

Part museum, part shrine, Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame dives into the people, horses, and moments that built our hometown’s harness racing story, with current and traveling exhibits plus a research library.

From the Chester newsletter, October 22, 2026

Hidden in plain sight for Chester folks, Museum Village of Old Smith's Clove Monroe lets you drop into 19th century life with historical dress, interpreters, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

From the Chester newsletter, October 3, 2026

Chester 1915 Erie Depot is a compact hit of hometown history, from the Erie line’s wild trek across black dirt to the milk shipments that kickstarted our dairy fame. You even get the 1983 last-train finale and Daniel Webster’s rocking-chair joyride story.

From the Goshen newsletter, October 17, 2026

ARTBOX Studio is Rebecca Cornell’s creative playground near Montgomery, where surreal watercolor menageries, graphite-and-ink details, and even coffee-splash owls come to life. and a little magical.

From the Walden newsletter, October 22, 2026

If you haven’t popped by Orange County Farmers Museum yet, it’s a volunteer-run slice of Hudson Valley history with barns, a blacksmith shop, and a sawmill, plus hands-on demos, educational workshops, and antique and garden tractor pulls, including community events that are free to the public.

From the Montgomery newsletter, October 14, 2026

Fat Cat Jiu Jitsu keeps training focused on real-deal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, from gi and no-gi group classes to private sessions for adults and kids.

From the Montgomery newsletter, September 27, 2026