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Known for its gorgeous waterfront views of the Hudson River and bustling Main Street freckled with boutique businesses, Cold Spring is an ideal day trip town in the Hudson Valley. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to call the Putnam County village home? Thanks to Cold Spring residents Alissa and Will Malnati, anyone can glimpse into the life of a local with Cold Spring, NY, a new coffee table book that captures the spirit of the town through 50 black and white photographs.
For the couple, who are transplants from New York City, their move to Cold Spring served as a medicinal-like refuge that redefined their notion of what neighborhood meant. Consequently, the book offers imagery that reflects those feelings of a newfound life and the beauty that lies within it.
“My husband and I moved to Cold Spring from NYC in 2021, and our experience in the village truly restored us. From bear alerts to fireside gatherings with neighbors, we expanded our idea of what ‘community’ really was. And it changed us forever,” says Alissa.
While the inspiration for Cold Spring, NY stems from the Malnatis’ personal experience living in the town, the book paints a picture of life in the village that seeks to celebrate it in its totality. From the breathtaking landscape to the distinctive architecture to the soulful people that define the local community, Cold Spring, NY depicts it all.
Taking a peek inside, the book has truly captured every niche of the riverfront town, whether it be nature, history, or anthropology. Labyrinthine mountains provide the backdrop for many of the images, while mysterious ruins suggest an abandoned island and ornate architecture and Main Street storefronts breathe life into the village. Photos of snow-covered forests, lush farms, teeming wildlife, and unforgettable faces represent the symbiosis of Cold Spring’s ecosystem.
Over the course of a 50-photograph collection, the Malnatis manage to masterfully communicate both the natural and human aspects of the village that make it so great. Another dynamic that persists throughout the book is the connection between the past and present, as so many of the town’s modern affairs converge in historic houses and an evergreen landscape. Cold Spring, NY celebrates a community that is as timeless as it is alive.
An essential addition to a well-curated coffee table, Cold Spring, NY is for lifelong residents, history lovers, passionate tourists, or those who long to visit. To celebrate the launch of the book with the Malnatis, Upstate Down in Rhinebeck is holding an intimate event on December 6 from 5-8 p.m. with martinis and a special DJ set by Jon Berry. To find the book online, head to coldspringbook.com or Amazon.
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