Over time, Washington County, NY’s economy has been shaped by industry – including rail, agriculture, and manufacturing. Today, those same assets are becoming catalysts for modern economic growth through adaptive reuse, whether they’re historic depots, industrial buildings or downtown structures.

Rather than viewing legacy sites as obstacles, communities across Washington County are embracing them as competitive advantages: distinctive spaces for businesses, makers, markets, and tourism-related enterprises that strengthen local identity while supporting long-term economic resilience.

After all, adaptive reuse (repurposing an existing building for a new function) does more than preserve character. It has been said many times the greenest building is the one already built. It reduces demolition waste, shortens construction timelines in many cases, and helps revitalize established village centers. Most importantly, this process helps create places people want to visit, work in, and center their lives.

Below, you’ll learn about several Washington County examples demonstrating how local legacy sites are being transformed into productive, marketable assets.

New Collar Goods in Salem, NY: From Industrial Roots to Modern Craftsmanship

Housed in a former shirt-making factory in Salem, New Collar Goods represents a new generation of modern manufacturing, grounded in craftsmanship and local production. The company designs and builds small-batch wooden furniture, made by hand in Washington County. With its recent feature on Home Reimagined by the Magnolia Network, New Collar Goods has propelled Salem’s maker economy onto the national stage.

This blend of local manufacturing, brand storytelling, and national exposure demonstrates how legacy industrial skills and spaces can support high-quality jobs and contemporary commerce – without losing their connection to place.

Canal Street Marketplace in Fort Edward, NY: A Revived Downtown Anchor

In Fort Edward, the Canal Street Marketplace exemplifies how restoring a legacy structure can create year-round economic and social value. Once a woodshop for canal maintenance, the Marketplace now serves as a gathering place: a hub for local vendors and artisans, a seasonal farmers market location, and a popular venue for private and community events.

Additionally, with its location in close proximity to the Empire State Trail/Champlain Canalway Trail, the Marketplace serves as a vital connector for both local businesses and visitors alike, helping to reinforce Fort Edward’s downtown vitality. These uses are especially important in smaller communities: events bring visitors who support local attractions, restaurants and retail, benefitting the entire economic ecosystem.

In Washington County, adaptive reuse isn’t just about preservation. It’s about programming, placemaking, and consistent commerce that supports local businesses while strengthening the heart of its small towns.

Varak Park in Cambridge, NY: Where Forward Momentum Meets Historic Spaces

Naturally, adaptive reuse also supports community-focused economic development. Varak Park in Cambridge is a historic space available for small businesses, private events and gatherings, providing a flexible venue that supports local events, celebrations, and economic activity tied to visitation and programming.

While once home to the Jerome B. Rice & Co. seed company, Varak Park’s three buildings are now occupied by a variety of businesses, organizations and professionals, including artists, medical practices, and an antique shop. This type of adaptive reuse repurposes older, larger buildings to give smaller, newer businesses a boost – without the added expense of new construction.

Train Depots Reborn: Heritage Buildings Powering Local Business

Few structures symbolize Washington County’s industrial and transportation legacy as well as its historic train depots. Fortunately, in the present day, several have found new life as businesses that serve both locals and visitors.

Cambridge Depot (Cambridge)

Built in 1901, the Cambridge Depot has been restored and transformed into a pub and gathering space, maintaining its historic character while supporting local business, live music and community life alike.

Station House B&B (Granville)

In Granville, a more than 100-year-old D&H Railroad Station has been converted into the Station House Bed & Breakfast, offering distinctive lodging that appeals to heritage and rail enthusiasts while supporting overnight visitation.

Ultimately, Washington County’s adaptive reuse projects do more than just “save a building.” They create unique, marketable destinations – and they do it with structures that already carry meaning within the surrounding community.

More Examples of Adaptive Reuse in the Upper Hudson Valley

Beyond the locations outlined above, Washington County is also home to several other adaptive reuse projects spanning history, including:

• The Historic Salem Courthouse, a former courthouse and jail now used as a year-round community center.
• Sandy Hill Arts Center, a historic Masonic Temple now used as an arts center housing galleries, studios, event halls and a restaurant.
• The Heisman Court Grill and Steakhouse inside the original Washington County Courthouse.
• Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education, a historic opera house that has evolved into an artistic powerhouse for the region.
• The Old Fort House Museum, one of the oldest wooden buildings in Washington County, NY, exemplifies successful repurposing. Over time, it has served as a post office, county clerk’s office, and—at different points during the American Revolution—as headquarters for both Patriot and British forces. Today, it serves as the county’s central museum.
• The Old Stone House Library, one of the oldest stone homes in the area, now a library for the town of Fort Ann.
• The Historic Shushan Covered Bridge & Museum, a complex composed of a covered bridge and one-room schoolhouse repurposed to function as a museum for generations to come.

Economic Development Benefits of Adaptive Reuse

Across Washington County, adaptive reuse projects deliver layered benefits:

• Entrepreneurship: Unique spaces help small businesses stand out to potential customers.
• Downtown reinvestment: Reuse strengthens walkable village centers where business infrastructure already exists.
• Tourism appeal: Historic settings enhance visitor experiences as well as community pride.
• Sustainability: Reuse reduces demolition waste, maximizes existing infrastructure and minimizes costs.
• Funding alignment: New York State programs like NY Forward explicitly support revitalization and reuse strategies in smaller communities, reinforcing the direction many Washington County villages are already moving.

The Takeaway: Washington County’s “Legacy Sites” Are Future-Ready Assets

Throughout Washington County, a practical truth is taking shape: this region does not have to choose between preserving its history and building a modern economy.  In many cases, that history is the differentiator, fueling small manufacturing, main-street commerce, trail-driven entrepreneurship, and destination lodging.

Together, Washington County communities are proving that historic industrial and transportation sites are not relics of the past; they’re assets for the future. By reinvesting in legacy buildings, communities are supporting small business growth, attracting visitors, preserving local identity, and building resilient downtown economies.

Above all, adaptive reuse allows Washington County to honor its industrial heritage while positioning itself for sustainable economic development in the years ahead.