Gnome Chomsky – Kerhonkson, New York - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

Gnome Chomsky

Kelder's Farm
Kerhonkson, New York

"Gnome Chomsky" was once the largest gnome in the world, but is now simply tall for his kind. 

View all photos
Gnome Chompsky stands overlooking the highway, with the farm and mini-golf course in the background.
The inscription on his pedestal reads:"The World's Largest Garden Gnome / Kelder's Farm, Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY / Maria Reidelbach and Ken Brown, 2003 Fabricated by John Hutchinson and Maria Reidelbach, 2006"
274
590
Related Stories
Charlevoix's pie pan still touts a claim to the record.
world record

Revisiting World-Record Holders After They've Been Eclipsed

In the shadows with the world's best second-bests.
Michael Inscoe August 3, 2017
list

8 Roadside Attractions Vying to Be the World's Biggest

Is that really Earth's largest lobster?
Eric Grundhauser August 9, 2016
Top Places in New York
MoMath - The Museum of Mathematics
New York, New York
The Webster Apartments
New York, New York
The Hidden Holocaust Memorial of Madison Park
New York, New York
 See All

Artist Maria Reidelbach’s 2006/07 project, “Gnome on the Grange”, is designed to celebrate the local farming community. The 10-hole mini-golf course is located on 100-acre Kelder’s Farm, which in addition to selling seasonal fruits and vegetables, also features a petting zoo and educational tours for children.

The mini-golf course is designed to both entertain and teach, Reidelbach says: “I want to introduce people to stuff they hadn’t thought about before. I want to make bridges over food”. Landscaped with fragrant fruits and vegetables of every shape and size, players are welcome to taste the scenery as they play.

The most striking feature, however, is unarguably the towering jolly giant, Gnome Chomsky. He stands invitingly on the hill facing the highway, challenging one and all to come enjoy the scenery, visit the farm, and play a round or two of mini golf.

Chomsky no longer holds the Guinness World Record for tallest concrete gnome as he once did. Reiman Gardens in Iowa is home to a Gnome that stands 15 feet tall. Although there is a Gnome in Poland who towers at 18 ft, but unlike Chomsky and the Reiman Gardens’ gnome, theirs is made of fiberglass.

Atlas Obscura Experiences

Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Frankenstein

Brooklyn, New York
Free
gnomes gardens roadside attractions plants sculptures statues
Nearby
Mohonk Testimonial Gateway
7.86 miles
Widow Jane Mine
8.98 miles
Huguenot Street
9.15 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
The Testimonial Gateway from the eastern approach
New Paltz, New York

Mohonk Testimonial Gateway

This stone gatehouse was once the entrance to a historic mountain resort, and it had a cameo in a cheesy cult horror movie.
Rosendale, New York

Widow Jane Mine

This old cement mine has been used as everything from a mushroom farm to a recording studio.
The 1717 Reformed Church of New Paltz.
New Paltz, New York

Huguenot Street

The oldest continuously inhabited street in America.
Low shrubs influenced by cave microclimate.
Pine Bush, New York

Ellenville Fault Ice Caves

The largest known open fault in the United States is basically a giant natural refrigerator.
Related Places
The mermaid-like "tlanchana", a folkloric figure of Metepec is well-represented in the park.
Metepec, Mexico

Pino Suárez Linear Garden

This sculpture garden is a serene oasis wedged in the middle of a busy highway.
The fountain.
Fontainebleau, France

Fontaine de Diane (Fountain of Diana)

Peeing dogs guard the Roman hunting goddess atop a fountain at France’s Château de Fontainebleau.
The World's Tallest Concrete Gnome
Ames, Iowa

Elwood, the World's Tallest Concrete Gnome

Beating out all other concrete competitors, this massive garden feature's pointy hat has earned it a world record.
Albertinia, South Africa

World's Largest Aloe Statue

A larger-than-life representation of the humble aloe plant.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web