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History
From Dairy Farm to Premier Destination: A Legacy of Nature, History, and Hospitality in the Heart of the Catskills.
For over two centuries, travelers have been drawn to the unspoiled beauty of New York’s Catskill Mountains. In 1840, Riseley Flat dairy farm occupied the land that is now home to The Emerson. When trains began stopping there daily in 1874, visitors flocked to the Hudson Valley—many enjoying their first taste of the region through fresh-made ice cream at the Riseley dairy.
More than a century later, local developer Dean Gitter (1935–2018) purchased the Riseley farmlands with a vision to create a destination that would boost the local economy and provide jobs. Partnering with longtime friend Emily Fisher, they restored the historic buildings, opening Catskill Corners and the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope in 1996. This unique attraction was joined by a collection of country shops and a family restaurant, The Spotted Dog.
Eager to expand, Gitter and Fisher renovated the adjacent Mt. Pleasant Lodge, opening a second restaurant, Catamount. They then transformed the Victorian Hungarian Inn across Route 28 into an inn with a restaurant and African-themed bar, naming it the Emerson after poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. His 1836 essay, Nature, inspired by the serene beauty of the Catskills, helped spark the American Conservation Movement, leading to the creation of the 600-square-mile Catskill Forest Preserve that now surrounds the resort.
In 2005, the original Inn was lost to fire. Determined to reestablish the Catskills as a premier tourism destination, Gitter and Fisher rebuilt, unveiling the new Emerson Resort & Spa in 2007. Emily Fisher became sole owner in 2013, and under the leadership of CEO Naomi Umhey, The Emerson completed a $6 million renovation in 2016, enhancing guestrooms, public spaces, and its 6,193-square-foot full-service spa.
Today, The Emerson continues to honor its namesake with quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson placed throughout the property. Expansive views of Mt. Tremper and the Esopus Creek provide a tranquil escape, welcoming guests to reconnect with nature amidst the timeless beauty of the Catskills.