What does this 1878 mill house in Chatham, NY offer? 42 White Mills Rd is a 3-bedroom, 1-bath, 1,800 sq ft home on 1.05 acres with a large party deck, 2-bay detached garage and 2-story workshop, 1.5 miles from Main Street Chatham. Asking $519,000.
Looking for an older home with real history and character, room to spread out, and a separate bonus building for a workshop or studio, all without giving up a quick drive into the Village of Chatham? This old mill house dates back to 1878, and it has been cared for by the same family since 1974.
From the road, it looks modest. That's typical of the old mill homes around Chatham, which were added onto over and over as the decades went by. Walk around back and you'll see what 150 years of additions have produced: a bright, open home with 1,800 square feet of living space, a big deck, and a level, sunny lawn behind it.
Below is a room-by-room walkthrough of what you'll see in the video, plus the things I think you should know before you visit, including the rail line at the back of the property.
Inside 42 White Mills Rd: bright, open and bigger than it looks
3-season porch and foyer
You'll enter from the driveway through a 3-season porch, then into a large tiled foyer that works as a mudroom. In upstate New York, a real place to drop wet boots and winter coats is not a small thing between November and April.
Open kitchen, dining and living area
From the foyer you step down into the heart of the house: an open kitchen, dining and living area. An entire corner of windows plus skylights pour light into this space, which is the part of the home that surprises people most after seeing the front. Hardwood floors run through the main living areas.
The party deck
The large deck opens right off the kitchen and dining room, so in the warmer months it becomes a second living room. Picture dinner parties outside on a July evening, the grill going, and staying out after dark to stargaze.
Den/office
The first floor also has a den or office that provides a lot of flexibility whether you work from home and need a dedicated office, you want a quiet reading corner, a 1st floor bedroom or space for guests.
Bathroom, bedrooms and bonus room
There is one large full bathroom on the 1st floor today. I want to be upfront about that, since it's a question I'll get from almost every buyer. Laundry also conveniently lives in this bathroom. The good news is that there is space on the second floor to add a second bath.
Upstairs are the 3 bedrooms plus a second-floor bonus room. That bonus room could be a family room, sitting room, work from home space, or a place for that future bathroom, depending on how you use the house. The primary bedroom sits off the bonus room and has plenty of space for a king size bed, dressers, sitting area, plus a large closet. This room also sits directly above the bathroom, so running plumbing up thru the closet is likely the easiest route to a 2nd bath. Picture a beautiful ensuite bathroom, changing room and moving the primary bedroom to the bonus room for an amazing primary suite. The other two bedrooms have been freshly painted and feature brand new white carpet.
Outside: 1.05 acres, a 2-bay garage and a 2-story workshop
The back yard
The back yard is private, spacious, mostly level and gets plenty of sun. There's room for a serious vegetable garden, a pool, or both.
2-bay detached garage + 2-story converted barn
Across the yard sits a detached 2-bay garage, plenty of storage for all your toys.
The converted barn is what sets the property apart from the other options in the area. The 2-story converted barn at the rear of the lot is insulated and has propane heat and power. It was used as a workshop, and it could easily be fully finished as another home office, an art studio, pottery studio or even additional living space, subject to the usual town approvals. An antique outhouse sits right behind it, a fun piece of the property's history.
The rail line, honestly
The rear of the property abuts the rail line. Don't let that scare you off before you see it. There are no crossings nearby, so horns are rare, and the trains have to slow down as they approach the bridge just down the road. In Chatham, the trains are part of the town's identity. Come stand in the yard and decide for yourself.
Location: 1.5 miles to Main Street Chatham
42 White Mills Rd is 1.5 miles from Main Street in the Village of Chatham, and about a 3-minute drive in the other direction to The Chatham Berry Farm and Greenhouse Cidery.
Hudson Amtrak station is 27 minutes away.
Albany is about 30 minutes.
This home is also minutes from the Taconic State Parkway and has easy access to I-90, which is a big part of why Chatham works for commuters and for second-home buyers coming up from New York City or over from Boston.
Manhattan and Boston are both about 2 hours 20 minutes away.
Life in Chatham, NY
Chatham sits in northern Columbia County, midway between the Hudson River and the Massachusetts border. The town includes the hamlets of Old Chatham, Chatham Center, North Chatham, Riders Mills, Malden Bridge and East Chatham, and the Village of Chatham straddles the towns of Chatham and Ghent.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Chatham was a busy railroad hub where the Boston and Albany, the Rutland and the New York Central's Harlem Line all met. Today one active freight line and the Amtrak Albany-to-Boston route still run through, though trains no longer stop at the historic village station. It's hard to spend a day in Chatham without seeing one roll by.
For a small town, Chatham has an unusual amount going on:
Crandell Theatre, the historic single-screen movie theater on Main Street
PS21, an open-air venue for music, dance and theater
Mac-Haydn Theatre, for summer musical theater
Shaker Museum, now under construction right in the Village
Art Omi Pavilions, a new art campus slated to open in 2027
Columbia Land Conservancy's Borden's Pond and Ooms preserves, open to the public dawn to dusk
Main Street has shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, including Chatham Brewery, Bimi's Canteen and People's Pub. Unlike most towns in the county, it is possible to eat out seven nights a week in the Village of Chatham.
How homes sell near the Village
I often say there is no single Columbia County market. How a home sells can change from town to town, sometimes from road to road. Chatham is one of the most sought-after areas in the county, and homes close to the Village tend to sell faster than homes in other parts of Columbia County. If you're considering this one, it's worth getting your financing lined up before you visit.
FAQ
How much is 42 White Mills Rd in Chatham, NY?
The asking price is $519,000 for a 3-bedroom, 1-bath home with 1,800 square feet on 1.05 acres, including a detached 2-bay garage and a 2-story converted barn.
Can a second bathroom be added?
The home has one large full bath today, and there is space on the second floor to add a second bathroom. Plan for the cost and any permits as part of your budget.
How close is the train to the house?
The rear of the property abuts the rail line. There are no crossings nearby, so horns are rare, and trains move slowly as they approach a nearby bridge. I recommend spending some time in the yard during your showing so you can judge it for yourself.
How far is it to the Village of Chatham?
The home is 1.5 miles from Main Street in the Village of Chatham, 27 minutes from the Hudson Amtrak station and about 30 minutes from Albany.
Schedule a private showing
Video only tells part of the story with a home like this. To schedule a private showing at 42 White Mills Rd, call or text me anytime at 617-359-1873, email jennifer@beachandbartolo.com.
Thinking about a move in the Hudson Valley in the next 6 to 12 months? Request a free town-by-town market report or a home evaluation at jensesma.com/contact. For weekly Columbia County updates and home tours, subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Jennifer Sesma is an Associate Real Estate Broker with Beach & Bartolo Realtors in Chatham, NY, serving Columbia County and the northern Hudson Valley. She holds the ABR® designation and was named 2025 REALTOR® of the Year by the Hudson Valley Catskill Region REALTORS®.
