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Our Story
Hartlot Happening is part of a long place-based tradition of bringing people together, inspiring new ideas, and celebrating creativity and community in Central New York.
An Industrious History
Hartlot Happening is situated on the historic site of what was once a 19th Century bean processing plant, owned by Vanderveer and Coleman Inc. At that time, the area was known as Hart Lot, or Hart's Lot, named after Josiah Hart, who owned about 640 acres in the area in the early 19th century. When the Skaneateles and Jordan Railroad Company began in 1836, the area came to be called Skaneateles Junction. From about 1867 until 1982, Skaneateles Junction connected the Skaneateles Short Line Railroad to the “Auburn Road” of the former New York Central Railroad. It was a bustling intersection of agriculture, industry, commerce, and hospitality. The railroad era transformed Hart’s Lot—and much of Elbridge—into a vibrant hub for trade and harvest, and Hart’s Lot was key to this growth.
Skaneateles Photograph Collection, Skaneateles Historical Society. "Station at Skaneateles Junction," New York Heritage Digital Collections, 1910. https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/srr_skanhis/id/235/
Keith working out of the back of his truck in the early days, clearing the courtyard of weeds and debris.
Craftsmanship & Perserverance
More than a century later, that legacy quietly inspired the next chapter. In 2010, when Keith was looking for a solid place to set up his metal fabrication shop, a friend told him about a "FOR RENT" sign on the back of the old beanery. The property’s raw history and untapped potential drew him in. Hidden beneath weeds and clutter, it was the kind of project that welcomed those who prefer to let their work speak for itself.
Day by day and year by year, while focusing on his metalwork, Keith gradually set about restoring and reimagining the historic buildings—never seeking the spotlight, but always guided by a respect for craftsmanship and community. What began as a practical search for workshop space quietly grew into a labor of renewal, restoring the original character of Hart’s Lot and sharing its gathered spirit with others.
Today, Hartlot Happening serves as a unique event venue and welcoming guest lodging in the Finger Lakes region. The property’s unassuming beauty and enduring history invite each guest to add their own story and carry forward the tradition of purposeful creation and connection.