Preserving the history, legacy and future of the Borscht Belt
A historical marker system commemorating the famed era
Preserving the Past
Preserving the Past
Preserving the Past
Established in August 2022, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is a group of locals, artists, and historians dedicated to commemorating the Borscht Belt, a celebrated era in American Jewish life, American culture, and Catskills history.
Our mission is to create a large-scale historic marker trail that permanently anchors this fame
Established in August 2022, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is a group of locals, artists, and historians dedicated to commemorating the Borscht Belt, a celebrated era in American Jewish life, American culture, and Catskills history.
Our mission is to create a large-scale historic marker trail that permanently anchors this famed era in its physical place while honoring its legacy.
These programs are central to our mission. They preserve and illuminate the history, legacy, and ongoing influence of the Catskills’ storied vacationland. Each event encourages dialogue, cultural reflection, and nostalgia, bridging history, community, and memory. By bringing audiences to the very places where history happened, the project allows visitors to experience the Catskills as a living archive, forging a deep connection between past and present.
Beyond guiding visitors along a literal roadmap of history, the Marker Project fosters engagement, social connection, and a stronger relationship between citizens, visitors, and the region’s vibrant past. Our programming includes film screenings, immersive slideshows, exhibitions, architectural and bus tours, live music, and events celebrating authors, literature, music, local food, and more — all designed to bring the spirit of the Borscht Belt to life.
The Marker Project
Preserving the Past
Preserving the Past
Enhanced by photographs and QR codes, the trail — when complete — will feature more than 20 markers connected by a self-guided audio driving tour.
Prior to our initiative, no historical markers commemorated the Borscht Belt era. As of 2025, we have installed fifteen markers, with plans to expand to 20+ by 2027.
By blending traditional mark
Enhanced by photographs and QR codes, the trail — when complete — will feature more than 20 markers connected by a self-guided audio driving tour.
Prior to our initiative, no historical markers commemorated the Borscht Belt era. As of 2025, we have installed fifteen markers, with plans to expand to 20+ by 2027.
By blending traditional markers with modern elements like QR codes and multimedia, we create an immersive experience that speaks to all ages — both those who remember the Borscht Belt firsthand and those newly discovering its rich history.
When complete in 2027, the permanent marker trail, together with its audio tour, will invite visitors to explore the landscape and rediscover the towns that were central to the Borscht Belt era.
More than just markers, our project blends history and adventure, offering an immersive, educational community experience while fostering cultural appreciation, tourism, and economic growth in the region.
Our dedication ceremonies and public programs are free and all are welcome. Our goal is to combine history and adventure, offering an immersive, educational, community-oriented experience, full of joy, as the era intended.
Our Fiscal Sponsor
Preserving the Past
Our Fiscal Sponsor
Our historic markers are generously funded by The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, a non-profit, volunteer organization. The purpose of the Society is to identify and recognize sites of American Jewish Historical interest.
The Society sponsors and promotes programs of local and national historic interest. Cooperating wit
Our historic markers are generously funded by The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, a non-profit, volunteer organization. The purpose of the Society is to identify and recognize sites of American Jewish Historical interest.
The Society sponsors and promotes programs of local and national historic interest. Cooperating with local Historical Societies, Communities, Churches and Synagogues, the Society encourages dialogue and interactive recognition of the commonality of the American Experience.
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS
With 15 locations now on the marker trail there are more ways than ever to explore the stories of this iconic region.
Our lively dedication ceremonies include guest speakers who are hotel and bungalow colony descendants and workers, town officials, local representatives and individuals who have a connection to the Borscht Belt.
Each dedication ceremony is complimented public programs which further aim to celebrate the era through film screenings, arts and literary expos, architectural tours, musical performances, DJ sets, immersive slideshows, cocktail hours, local food, drinks and art. and more!
These programs are part of the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project’s ongoing mission to preserve and illuminate the history, legacy, and future of the Catskills’ storied vacationland. Each event encourages dialogue, cultural reflection, and nostalgia, bridging history, community, and memory.
By bringing audiences to the very places where history happened, the project lets the public revisit the Catskills as a living archive forging a deep connection between past and present.
We will be announcing our 2026 events very soon. Stay tuned!
May the Borscht be with you!
OUR PARTNERS
FIVE markers in 2026!
Locations include -- Ferndale • Roscoe • Rock Hill • Lake Huntington • Wurtsboro