This Is Upstate New York's Quirkiest Little Town
Lily Dale, set along the shores of Cassadaga Lake in upstate New York, is the world's largest historic Spiritualist community. For more than 140 years, this small town has drawn mediums and spiritual seekers from across the country. Today it remains a steady draw, especially for those interested in meditation and spiritual healing services at places like the Healing Temple or the wooded trails of Leolyn Woods. Founded on the Spiritualist movement, that heritage shows up at every turn of a visit.
History of Lily Dale
Lily Dale was established in 1879 with the intention of becoming a summer gathering place for Spiritualists across the United States. Founded as the Cassadaga Lake Free Association, it was renamed the City of Light in 1903, and finally Lily Dale Assembly in 1906. What began as a summer Spiritualist camp gradually developed into a year-round residential community. The summer season at Lily Dale has run for well over a century, drawing a steady flow of 20,000 to 30,000 visitors, according to the official Lily Dale Assembly website.
In the 1970s, Lily Dale was home to between 25 and 30 mediums who resided there during the summer camps, and about a dozen who stayed during the off-season to keep the town running year-round. Recent reporting places Lily Dale's year-round population at roughly 275 to 300 residents, and its official site says the community is home to more than 50 registered mediums. The most prominent practice is mediumship, where individuals contact spirits to communicate with the living, and the town offers workshops on meditation, energy work, and healing practices.
The town is a gated community, and summer visitors pay an entrance fee at the gates. This provides them access to the town as well as public meditations and services. Notwithstanding Lily Dale's rich Spiritualist heritage, however, many of today's visitors are not necessarily followers of the Spiritualist faith. The town has proven attractive to tourists or "spiritual seekers" on a self-directed quest for spiritual enlightenment beyond organized religion.
Spiritual Sites
The Lily Dale Museum operates out of a one-room schoolhouse built in 1890. The museum is filled with photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia from the early days of the Spiritualist movement and the founding of Lily Dale. Collections include Spiritualist newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets, as well as a display of items from the Fox family, whose contact with the spirit world helped popularize Spiritualism.
The Forest Temple has been in operation since 1894, hosting spiritual gatherings beneath the pines. The wooden structure is built against the tree line and runs a regular 4 p.m. message service during the summer season. Messages from the spiritual realm are channeled through registered mediums and visiting mediums.
The Healing Temple is across the street from the museum. The temple opened in 1955, dedicated to the principles of spiritual healing, and many people claim to experience the sacredness of its energy as soon as they enter. During the summer season, a meditation service and two spiritual healing services take place each day.
Leolyn Woods
Lily Dale is separated from the rest of Cassadaga by the lake, a large marsh, and Leolyn Woods, an old-growth forest with a wide variety of centuries-old trees. The woods have informative panels hanging from shepherd hooks, providing visitors with information about each type of tree.
The woods are also home to the Inspiration Stump. The large tree stump is surrounded by wooden pews and serves as a platform for mediums, with demonstrations twice daily. The tradition dates back to the founding of Lily Dale. It was named after a sacred pine tree that once grew there and sits at the end of a quiet trail within the woods.
The Lily Dale Fairy Trail is a year-round hiking trail dotted with pink fairies on the trees and featuring decorative fairy houses, gnome houses, and small villages along the way. Both residents and visitors of Lily Dale create works that are featured throughout.
Local Establishments
In addition to spiritual sites, a handful of small businesses in Lily Dale are also tied to Spiritualism. Spirit Art Gallery focuses on spirit-driven and spirit-focused art. Mediumistic art, including auragraphs and spirit portraits, is created to convey spirit messages and demonstrate the continuity of life. Additionally, the gallery features healing jewelry crafted from real gemstones.
Sacred Grounds Coffee House serves espresso drinks and herbal teas alongside sweet and savory food. It works as a stop for morning coffee, lunch, or an evening snack. Sunny days bring visitors out to the porch. The indoor café offers Wi-Fi along with books and games. The coffee house operates seasonally and (per its current site) closes after the main season and typically reopens in June.
Lily Dale’s Quirks
Lily Dale's Spiritualism heritage is baked into the rhythm of the town. The summer season draws tourists from all over, but the traditions run year-round. That continuity is part of what makes Lily Dale stand out as one of the quirkiest towns in upstate New York.
