Our History

CONKLING HALL started as a Methodist church, built in 1839. At the end of that century it was bought by Francis Conkling Huyck, who had a great love for the village of Rensselaerville and a feeling that he owed the town much for his start in life. Huyck turned the church building into a community center and performance space, bringing in plays, concerts and vaudeville, as well as community meetings.

After Huyck’s death in 1907, his son Francis Huyck Jr. took on the operations of the Hall. In turn, after Huyck Jr.’s death in 1938, his wife, Laura Talmage Huyck, donated the Hall to the newly formed Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Company.  The Hall soon became a central facility, housing meetings of the Fire Company, the Rod and Gun Club, Boy Scouts, Veteran, 4-H Club, Home Bureau, Women’s Clun, Church Guild, Catholic Church and Rensselaerville Historical Society. 

In 1963 the Hall hosted The Institute on Man and Science’s public summer session, at which such people as Paul Sears, Harlow Shapely, Kenneth Boulding and Harrison Salisbury spoke.

In the 1990s, the Hall went into foreclosure and people in the community moved quickly. The Rensselaerville Presbyterian Church organized a loan for the purchase of Conkling Hall, and took responsibility for the building. A board was formed and was responsible for maintenance and operations of the building. In 2015 that board, The Friends of Conkling Hall, Inc., became a registered not-for-profit, and in 2016 the Rensselaerville Presbyterian Church transferred ownership of the building to FOCH.

Today, under FOCH’s management, the Hall continues to provide a place for the community to meet, celebrate, enjoy performances and classes, and more. Learn how you can help continue the tradition of community at the Hall.