^{The Bathhouse}
Today the bathhouse at 533 1st Street in Troy has much of its original exterior. On the first floor there is a studio with several looms and flexible workspace.

The residency living space is an apartment above the studio. With a kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, common area and library, the space is comfortable, functional and energetically creative, filled with many of Jess’s books and other items.

A backyard that will become part of the campus in the future will feature a multifaceted garden with spaces for contemplation and gatherings. 

^{General Overview of Troy}
The building that makes up the physical sphere of Tanglehaven is a former bathhouse that served the workers of the Burden Iron Works factory, the main office of which still stands across the railroad tracks. At one point this plant employed fourteen hundred people and was a massive campus alongside the Hudson river.  

In this location we are residing on Muhheconneok land, in English the word is Mohican. The language spoken was in the Algonquin family, a language which was thought extinct, but has been actively spoken and taught again since 2010. Muhheconneok people were forcefully driven from this land, eventually settling in Wisconsin. The famous novel by James Fennimore Cooper called “The Last of the Mohicans” was not a coincidence.

With the onset of settler colonialism in the mid-1600’s, this area was settled by the Dutch. Positioned near the Erie Canal, as well as Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, Troy became one of the centers of the Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s. In that era, Troy was the 4th largest city in the country in terms of economy and wealth. Many of the buildings in South Troy date back to the 19th century. 


^{The Neighborhood and Walkability}
The neighborhood around the residency is vibrant and diverse. There are two schools within one block, so during the school year, it is alive with students from kindergarten through high school.  Troy, as in other upstate NY cities, is generally a friendly place with neighbors looking out for one another. We recommend bringing your own vehicle if possible but although grocery stores and pharmacies are not close they are accessible by bus.

There is a bike and running road along the river towards Albany. Cross the railroad tracks and turn left and you will be on it. Downtown Troy, a 1.5 mile walk north, has an outstanding farmer’s market on Saturdays from 9 AM - 2 PM. There are also many small businesses, historic buildings and an inclusive and creative vibe.