Heartstone Center Land, Facilities & Accommodations
The Center sits atop a hill on 30 acres of fields and woods, with gardens and a small pond. The land supports diverse medicinal plants as well as deer, fox, coyote, bear, and others. We feel very blessed to steward this land with the good company of friends, interns and students.
Most of our programs are offered on-site at Heartstone center. We are located in the beautiful hills of upstate New York, 12 miles south of Ithaca and Cayuga Lake.
In 2009, the Center became a medicinal plant sanctuary through United Plant Savers. And in 2022, Heartstone became an official Monarch Butterfly waystation!
Our new 42' diameter silo is Heartstone's newest and largest teaching and retreat structure. Its beautiful gathering room is suitable for classes, ceremonies, meetings, and informal gatherings. It's heated with a kitchen and bathroom and looks out on the beauty of our woods and fields.
Our 24’ yurt was our primary teaching space for most of our years. It will be renovated in the spring of 2023 and we hope to have it completed in time for our program season.
The barn kitchen is the gathering place for meals as well as lectures and hands-on activities such as medicine-making.
During many programs, participants may opt to sleep in the yurt or one of our other rustic accommodations. Most people choose to camp in tents on the land.
Our lean-to, affectionately called the “Toadstool,” sits at the edge of the woods & field and offers a perfect view of the rising sun. This tiny 3-sided structure holds a queen-size sleeping loft. With occasional exceptions, Elders & those with physical comfort needs are given the first option to stay in the Toadstool. We have a little cabin with 2 bunkbeds -the "Bunkhouse".
The silo offers sleeping accommodations on the second floor with additional comfort features. One bedroom has a king size bed. The second bedroom has three twin beds. Both rooms have lovely views of the land as well as WIFI. During programs, these rooms have access to a bathroom with sink & toilet. If staying on retreat, there's also access to a bath and shower. The silo rooms are available for a fee/night or weekend.
Accommodations for Events & Retreats
Meals for Heartstone Center Programs
Heartstone has been blessed with a wonderful goddess of food preparation. With the help of our interns, Sharon Costianes prepares a beautiful and nourishing menu from fresh organic, local produce whenever possible and incorporates wild edibles of the season. Our menu accommodates diverse dietary needs.
Local Accommodations and Attractions
There are a number of B&B’s, motels, and retreat centers within 10-20 mile radius if you would like additional creature comforts during your program. In order to participate fully in our Herbal Apprenticeship & Journey Of The Heart, participants are asked to stay on-site for these courses.
Ithaca, NY is a wonderful community in its own right and summer and fall visitors may want to allow extra time in town to hike or dip in waterfall swimming areas of our state parks:
And visit the fabulous local Ithaca Farmer’s Market. VisitIthaca.com and Airbnb.com also offer great information on accommodations and local attractions.