Mead Memorial Chapel

This FAQ refers to the Mead Memorial Chapel in Waccabuc, New York, located at 2 Chapel Road in Westchester County. There is another prominent Mead Memorial Chapel on the Middlebury College campus in Vermont, but this page focuses on the historic Episcopal chapel in New York.

Yes, the surrounding area of Waccabuc and Lewisboro offers a peaceful setting with opportunities for gentle walks. While specific trails are not detailed here, the natural beauty of the area is conducive to easy and family-friendly outdoor activities.

The highlight data does not provide specific user tips regarding parking. However, as a privately owned historical site, it's advisable to check for designated visitor parking or street parking availability when planning your visit.

While the chapel itself is a historical site, many natural areas and trails in Westchester County are dog-friendly. It's always best to check local regulations for any specific trail you plan to explore regarding leash laws and pet waste policies.

Beyond appreciating the chapel's architecture and history, the scenic roads and natural beauty of Waccabuc and Lewisboro provide opportunities for gentle walks, exploration of the local landscape, and various outdoor activities on nearby trails. Hikers can find routes suitable for different skill levels.

The chapel can be appreciated year-round, with its stone architecture offering a serene experience in any season. For outdoor activities like hiking, spring and fall often provide pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery, though winter walks can also be quite picturesque.

While the immediate vicinity is known for gentle walks, the broader Westchester County area offers a range of hiking opportunities. For more challenging routes, you might need to explore nearby parks or preserves a short drive from the chapel.

A visit to the chapel itself might take 30 minutes to an hour to appreciate its architecture and history. If you plan to combine this with exploring nearby trails, you could easily spend a few hours or half a day enjoying the natural surroundings.

The hamlet of Waccabuc is quite tranquil. For cafes or restaurants, you would likely need to venture a short drive to neighboring towns within Lewisboro or Westchester County, which offer various dining options.

The chapel was built between 1905 and 1906 in a late Gothic Revival style, commissioned by Sarah Frances Studwell Mead as a memorial to her husband, George Washington Mead. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a privately owned historical site managed by a volunteer board of trustees, reflecting a deep family heritage in the area.

Yes, the Mead Memorial Chapel is available for various private events, including weddings, christenings, memorial services, and other secular gatherings. It is managed by a volunteer board of trustees, composed of Mead family descendants, who oversee its use.

Designed by Hobart B. Upjohn, the chapel is a rectangular stone building with a steep slate roof. It features a distinctive bell tower adorned with Gothic arch-shaped louvered windows. In 1929, a wing known as Mead Memorial Hall was added, which houses the Mead family archives.