Overlook Mountain House, Woodstock, Ulster County

“Vacation in the Catskill Mountains” was part of a 1995 installation art project at the Overlook Mountain House by Woodstock artist Sarah Greer Mecklem. The installation featured biodegradable reproductions of brochures, photographs and newspaper articles about the Overlook Mountain House from its heyday glued to its long decaying walls. The exhibits were designed to degrade over time as they were exposed to the same natural elements as the building itself.

Throughout the 19th century the Catskill Mountains ranked among the most popular and prestigious vacation destinations in the United States, providing thousands with fresh mountain air, outdoor activity and a respite from summer city life. The Catskill Mountain House was the first large scale hotel in the area and was surely its’ most famous. However, as demand grew for summer lodging, other influential grand resorts were built, such as Hotel Kaaterskill, Laurel House, Tremper House and the Overlook Mountain House to name but a few. The Overlook Mountain House first opened its doors to guests in 1871, was destroyed by fire in 1875, was rebuilt and reopened in 1878, only to be destroyed by fire again in 1923. What you see now are the remains of the attempted 3rd rebuilding that was never completed.