About Cornwall Social

Cornwall Social is shaped by a love for hospitality, nature, and community life in the Hudson Valley. Built on the former Penning's nursery property, Cornwall Social is being thoughtfully reimagined as an ecosystem where food, nature, and people come together. 

Cornwall Social is a place to slow down, reconnect, and spend time together.

How It Started

Liz and Gabe married in 2018 in Wallkill and moved to the Hudson Valley in 2020 after falling in love with the sense of community and connection to the outdoors.

As their family grew, they found themselves wanting more places where adults and children could spend time together comfortably — somewhere relaxed enough for a spontaneous afternoon and special enough to become part of family traditions.

When they discovered the old nursery property, they saw the opportunity to build something lasting for the community they call home.

What began as an idea slowly became a long-term vision: A farm and café centered around gathering, curiosity, and care for the land.

Meet the Team

The Property

The 11-acre property is designed to encourage both activity and pause. Visitors will find a seasonal café, greenhouse, meadow, outdoor seating, family gathering areas, and spaces for workshops, events, and live music.

The experience is intentionally flexible — you might stop by for lunch and end up wandering the meadow, listening to music on the lawn, or staying through sunset with friends.

Events

Stewardship & Restoration

Environmental stewardship is deeply woven into the project.

Cornwall Social is restoring portions of the property through an on-going native meadow restoration, habitat creation, ecological gardening practices, and thoughtful land management intended to support biodiversity and long-term resilience.

The project also includes what will become New York’s first Passive House restaurant, reflecting a commitment to sustainable building practices and energy efficiency.

Throughout the farm, herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables are grown naturally and incorporated into the café whenever possible.

Plant List

Why Barn Swallows?

Before the property changed hands, barn swallows nested in one of the old structures on-site. Their social nature and seasonal return became an unexpected symbol for the project. 

Like barn swallows, Cornwall Social is active, social, and alive. They became a symbol of everything we hope this place can be — a place to laugh, learn, and grow alongside the land and one another.