Appreciating the Olana State Historic Site and the Legacy of Architect Frederic Church
One of the Hudson Valley’s greatest treasures sits atop a hill overlooking the Hudson River and the town of Hudson, New York. Olana, the imposing home of Frederic Church, was designed by Church and well-known architect Calvert Vaux in a mixture of Victorian and Middle-Eastern styles. You can see this magnificent villa as you approach Hudson from across the Hudson River in Catskill, the windows from the towers catching the light of the setting sun. Visitors today can enjoy the 250-acre grounds that boast five miles of carriage roads, trails, ponds, and of course the house itself.
Frederic Church was one of the prominent artists of the Hudson River School of landscape painting. He was a student of Thomas Cole, considered by most to be the founder of that school of painting, who resided and worked at his home in Catskill. He purchased the land for his estate in 1860 and built a small cottage, made plans for orchards and gardens, and created a 10-acre lake.
Following the deaths of his two young children, he and his wife Isabel traveled extensively in Europe and the Middle East, experiences that played a vital role in the design of the interior and exterior of the house. Construction of their home finally began in 1870 and was completed in 1872. In the years before Church’s death in 1900, he and his wife raised their new children there and hosted prominent figures such as writer Charles Dudley Warner, industrialist Wiliam H. Osborn, and humorist Mark Twain, to name a few.
The house that visitors see today has been wonderfully preserved and the tours inside are intimate, expertly guided by the touring staff. One enters the house and is immediately drawn to the elaborately carved woodwork throughout the house. Each room has elements of the Middle East, with bold colors and fabrics. The house is filled with objects from the vast travels of the Church family. You can see the studio where Church painted some of his masterpieces and gaze out the large windows to take in the same vistas that inspired his work in painting the Hudson Valley. Some of the highlights for me are the superbly designed and crafted staircase, very Moorish in style with a beautiful stained glass window on the landing. The dramatic and rather dark dining room boasts a large collection of art he amassed over the years. The upstairs is now open to the public and you can see some of the most gorgeous wallpaper and linens.
Frederic and Isabel’s son Louis and his wife Sally, inherited the house and Sally maintained the home until her death in 1964. With the help of Jacqueline Kennedy and former Governor Nelson Rockefeller, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and was purchased by New York State. Starting in 1966 Olana was opened to the public.
Olana is a perfect place to walk and take in the scenery during most of the year. The site offers a multitude of free programming, such as free community day on the third Thursday of the month. There is an artmaking class for free coming up on August 17 and an outdoor movie night on Friday August 23.
Church’s Olana was built from his passion and inspiration in things he saw in his life and travels. His estate continues to offer inspiration and encouragement in all aspects of the arts to those who come to pay a visit to Olana.