THE TIDEWATER CENTER

A Vibrant Arts Center and Hudson River Educational Park

Located at 61 East Bridge Street in Saugerties, NY

The Tidewater Center opened in August 2021 and is the home of Arm-of-the-Sea Theater. It is still currently being built, renovated, and renewed through the generous support of individual donors and grants.

Arm-of-the-Sea Theater has been bringing to life Hudson River history and ecology for 41 years with their luminous shows of mask and puppet theater. Continuing with the same vigor as their visual dramas, they are transforming a 1.5-acre site on the Esopus Creek in Saugerties NY. The abandoned remains of the19th-century Sheffield Paper Mill are being re-purposed for a new mission: an open-air performance venue and Hudson River education center and cultural activities park!

Arm-of-the-Sea Theater is actively hosting shows, events, and workshops while the Tidewater Center continues to undergo transformation. During Summer 2023, Arm-of-the-Sea hosted a weekly event series called Waterfront Wednesdays, which included one of their classic puppet theater shows, plus presentations, shows, workshops and educational activities led by local groups, focused on ecology and the Esopus Creek.

Can I bring my dog to the Tidewater Center?

We love dogs but ONLY SERVICE DOGS ARE ALLOWED that are individually trained to do specific tasks for a person with a disability are allowed at the Tidewater Center. We do not permit support animals. If you have any doubt about what category your dog is in, please refer to the comprehensive ADA definitions for service animals.

Service Dog Guidelines

Is the Tidewater ADA Accessible?

The Tidewater Center is wheelchair accessible. There is a designated ADA parking space, ADA portable toilet, and a reserved space within the theater seating area for a wheelchair.

The 2023 Season at the Tidewater Center

Folks visiting the Puppet Photo Booth

Hudson River Educator Hope Nitza demonstrating local critters of the Esopus Creek

Director Patrick Wadden and Puppeteer Maclain Maier demonstrating a character from the puppet archive

Young presenters showing off their puppetry skills on stage

Hudson River Educators Hope Nitza and Brian Reid who ran the Window on the Esopus Creek, the interactive aquarium at the Tidewater Center during Summer 2023.

The Water Stories Project is a special collective community activity led by Jill Orlesker and volunteers for kids and adults where they can come together and share memories, stories, wishes and dreams both past and present about the Lower Esopus Creek. The stories are hung on a clothesline to be shared with each other, the Wind, and the Creek.