Our community, the river and our history are our most treasured resources. Through the collective efforts of our members, neighbors and valued supporters, we create opportunities and implement projects to enhance and beautify our flourishing village designed to improve the quality of life for its residents and visitors.
Friends of Athens welcomes all.
About Us
Friends of Athens, founded in 2017, is a registered not-for-profit group of neighbors who support community-led initiatives in and around the Village of Athens, New York. Civic engagement and our local environment are the values at the heart of all our work. We regularly engage with our community to better understand local needs and desires, basing all initiatives and partnerships on efforts that will build and support a more flourishing village for our families, friends and neighbors.
About Athens
Originally called Loonenburgh following purchase of the land from the native Mohican people in 1665, Athens was a sparsely populated agrarian community until 1703 and the construction of a Lutheran Church. It was quite some time, though, before businessmen from Hudson NY, led by Isaac Northrup, succeeded in purchasing and developing the farms of John Van Loon and his neighbors. At this point, the village saw vigorous settlement activity, formally incorporating in 1805. Within Athens’ four square miles stand the centuries-old homes of Dutch farmers alongside the grand homes of early merchants, immigrant industrialists, and civic spaces devoted to education and governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Athens NY?
Athens is located along the Hudson River in the picturesque Hudson Valley of upstate New York, about 30 miles south of New York’s capitol, Albany. This landscape inspired the Hudson River School art movement featuring artists Thomas Cole and Frederic Church, who both had residences nearby. The Hudson Valley is home to many artists, musicians and scholars seeking solace from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
How large is Athens NY?
The Town of Athens is home to 4,000 people, with the Village of Athens hosting 2000 of them.
Why Friends of Athens?
Engaged townspeople felt it would be useful to have a civic organization focused on betterment of the community in small ways with projects that usually “fall through the cracks” between government and commercial interests.
What are the benefits of membership?
The benefits of membership directly correlate with how much time and energy we’re willing and able to put into our beloved community! Being active supports a more vibrant village and stronger bond between our fellow residents, and builds a better today for a better tomorrow. Taking an effective role instills greater pride in our neighborhoods and empowers us all. As a member, you will have a say in the projects we choose to invest in and help generate new ideas, in addition to keeping the leadership of Friends of Athens accountable to commitments made.
What are some projects Friends of Athens has completed to date?
Friends of Athens conducted a comprehensive tree inventory in the Village of Athens, followed up by a large scale tree planting effort. Over 35 new trees were planted around the Village in 2019. In 2021, Friends of Athens founded our New Neighbor Committee that offers a welcome package and support to new residents who wish to be contacted. In 2023/24, we had the village signage refurbished. In 2025, we developed a mobile app that guides a walking tour of the Village. Ongoing projects include the annual Athens Village Street Cleanup Day and participation in the annual Riverkeeper Sweep of the Hudson River.
What is required for membership?
All that is required is your enthusiasm! Currently there are no dues or minimum hours of participation nor volunteerism, however we encourage everyone to get involved with our projects to best ensure we are most effective as an action-oriented community organization. We meet once a month.
I’m interested in partnering. What’s the process?
We’d love to hear from you. Please use the Contact Us page.
I want to donate. Is my donation tax-deductible?
As a 501(c)3, your donations to Friends of Athens are 100% tax-deductible.