New York State Awards Borscht Belt Museum $650,000 for Capital Construction

Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced that Empire State Development has awarded a $650,000 grant to support the construction of the Borscht Belt Museum, a new cultural institution in Ellenville, N.Y. 

The grant, one of the single-largest investments in downtown Ellenville in recent years, provides pivotal funding for the Committee for Catskill Resort Museum, the not-for-profit that is building the museum. The organization is also the creator of Borscht Belt Fest, an arts and food festival that made its debut on July 29, drawing thousands of people to Ellenville. 

The organization is transforming its century-old home into a one-of-a-kind cultural attraction dedicated to the fabled Borscht Belt era, when millions of urban dwellers relocated en masse to the mountains of upstate New York and created a summer world that left deep impacts on American culture. The museum will celebrate that rich legacy — the comedy, the food, and the Borscht Belt's legacy as a refuge from bigotry. 

Today’s announcement provides the museum with significant momentum, though more funding is needed to fully renovate the building and create a series of top-notch exhibitions. Since acquiring the building in April, the organization has raised nearly $1 million from private donors and philanthropies. 

“We continue to make investments lifting up our communities across New York State, and these 40 shovel-ready projects are crucial to boosting economic growth and driving private investment,” Governor Hochul said. “Together, our Regional Economic Development Councils are helping communities meet pressing needs through strategic investments creating good-paying jobs and expanding opportunities for New Yorkers.”  

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger noted that the timing of the grant’s announcement coincided with the launch of the museum’s first food and arts extravaganza, Borscht Belt Fest.  “I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the Regional Economic Development Council for recognizing the history of an era that defined Ulster County and the entire Catskills region by awarding a grant to transform a building in Ellenville’s Historic District into the Borscht Belt Museum.”

“This new cultural institution will honor, preserve and celebrate the constellation of Catskill resorts that drew millions of urban dwellers and left lasting impacts on American culture.”