Built as a limestone hops barn, by Judge Bates in 1861, to meet the processing needs of the burgeoning hops industry in upstate NY, the Bates Hop House served the surrounding counties as a way to harvest and dry hops for sale on the world market. Providing well paying jobs to young men, Bates Hop House made a strong contribution to the local economy. Here a fellow could work just one season and save enough money to get married, affording to pay for a wife's dowery.

In 1862 however, the Civil War broke out and the Bates Hop House was commissioned by the Union Army as a Barracks, where more than 400 soldiers stayed awaiting their orders, while being uniformed and provisioned. Soldiers signed their names in charcoal on the wooden rafters in the upper floor. Some of the signatures of the men are preserved and are still visible. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and bears a plaque which tells the history. There is also a stone marker in the peak of the second story which dates the construction of the building to 1861.

The Barracks as it was known thereafter, became a museum for a period of time, before a private party took on the historic project in the 1970's and reroofed and tuck pointed the Stone Barn, making one bedroom and one bath inside the 4000 sq.ft. open space. Stone walls 14-18 inches thick stand perfectly straight and true, unmoving and stable. Current owners purchased the Barracks in 2012. They renovated the portion that had dirt floors and unfinished barn space into a two story living area, adding 4 bedrooms, for a total of five bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, laundry, pantry, an art gallery hall,  library and study. New double pane insulated windows and a second entry and exit door were added as well as 5 operable solar powered skylights and all new 50 year roof, new staircase, new front door, and new hydronic in-floor slab heating in poured concrete floors. The building has new plumbing throughout, new electric service, insulation, and a restored working fireplace with new flue and tophat. Cherry hardwood floors in kitchen and living room.

Six acres span a bucolic landscape with fields looking south and east, beautiful views of the famous East Hill, home of the Ginsberg Farm and Poets' Society. More than 150 rare varieties of lilacs are displayed in the exhibit garden, a unique collection along with more than 1000 peonies, viburnum, daffodils, hyacinths, 8 producing apple trees and 3 pear trees. Greenhouses and sheds are all in good condition. A three season cabin situated in a secluded area on the property has beautiful views to the east, a wood stove, outdoor shower, and outhouse. A deluxe Australian styled garden shed served as a pottery studio and is now a perfumery studio. Two forty foot long twelve foot wide greenhouses, one new, both in good condition have new shade cloth coverings and storage sheds at both ends. A three year old John Deere tractor with low run hours may or may not be included in the sale and is optional. Zero turning radius 6 foot deck riding mower and various landscaping tools are included in the sale.

All the limestone was quarried on the property, the Barracks was built on limestone bedrock, and old stone fences still border the back fields and wooded area to the south. Go to the website to see more photos, Web address: CherryValleyLilacs.com  or call the owners to find out more and schedule a visit.