A bookstore steeped in history.

The little red building at 81 Alden Street in Cherry Valley, NY is now a cheery yellow. Our store has quite a history. The building may date to the late 18th century, but we know that in 1840 it was Amos Swan’s cabinet shop. Here, Swan built cabinetry, melodeons, and served as the local undertaker. The shop also served as the local telegraph office.

Swan was friends with Samuel Morse, whose family owned a summer home nearby. Morse used the telegraph office to test Morse code in the early days of its development.

At one point, the shop was a tea room, and in the 1940s it was a dress shop. In the 1960’s through the 1990’s it was a summer home for poets and jazz musicians escaping the heat of the city, but choosing Cherry Valley over the hustle and bustle of Saratoga.

Since the mid-90’s it has been a shop specializing in used and rare books. We are proud to maintain that tradition.