Midnight Rambles and Catskill Dreams

"Woodstock is the most musical town in America for me" - Levon Helms

Levon Helm, the voice and heartbeat of the band The Band, made Woodstock, New York his home in the mid-1970s. On 18 acres in the Catskills, he built a barn from local hemlock and bluestone, a sanctuary where sound and spirit converged. This became Levon Helm Studios, a space he designed and acoustically engineered himself, becoming a haven for recording artists and fans alike.

Helm’s voice carried the soul of Woodstock most vividly on songs like The Weight, written by Robbie Robertson and recorded at Bob Dylan’s home Big Pink in nearby West Saugerties in 1968. That song—its mix of gospel warmth and Americana storytelling—embodied the communal energy that Woodstock has famously nurtured. In Helm’s hands, The Weight became more than a song; it was a shared experience, sung with the presence and depth of someone rooted in the land and the music at once.

Levon began The Midnight Rambles, a musical event made for the local community, at his barn which helped carry the musical spirit of Woodstock forward. These intimate concerts grew into legendary gatherings with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Norah Jones, and more. His final recordings, including Dirt Farmer (2007) and the posthumous Carry Me Home (2022) with Mavis Staples, are reminders that Woodstock was never just a backdrop to the music. It was part of the music itself. Today, his daughter Amy Helm continues the Rambles, keeping the music alive in the heart of the Catskills.

About Levon’s Suite

This spacious apartment spans the full depth of the second floor on the east side of The Main House. Accessible via the main entrance on Tinker Street and up a flight of original 1820s pine steps, Levon’s Suite is a modern, bright one-bedroom unit. It features a living room, a brand-new kitchen with a breakfast bar and dining nook, and a renovated bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower. The velvet sofa in the living area opens into an extra-large twin bed, comfortably accommodating an adult.

The north-facing bedroom is appointed with a queen-sized bed and a flexible side area perfect for reading, meditation, or yoga. The south-facing rear of the apartment fills the kitchen with sunlight through a wall of windows. Levon’s Suite offers access to a private deck overlooking Tannery Brook, with spectacular views of the distant Comeau Property fields and a bird’s-eye view of the grounds known as “The Back Forty.” Visual artists and nature lovers will find inspiration in the expansive landscape. Levon’s Suite comfortably accommodates 1–3 guests, offering both modern amenities and a serene connection to its historic surroundings.