Upper Hudson
Olana
5720 Route 9-G Hudson, NY 12534
Hours: Open for tours Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 3:45 PM and third Thursdays from 1 PM to 6:30 PM. Frederic Church Center hours are Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 AM to 4:40 PM and third Thursdays from noon to 7 PM. Grounds open 8 AM to sunset. See website for admission rates.
Phone: (518) 751-0344
Historical Description:
Frederic Church, a Hudson River artist, laid out roads, planting thousands of trees, and dredging a marsh to create a reflecting pond. On a journey to the Middle East and Europe, the Churches were captivated by the Moorish architecture, which they felt provided a sense of permanence, rich associations with the past, and splendid decorative potential. Church personally created the interiors and exteriors of Olana. Construction began in 1870 and the family moved into the second floor in late 1872. Isabel Church died in 1899; Frederic, the following year. Olana remained in the family until 1964 when plans were made to sell the carefully preserved house at auction. Soon after, Olana Preservation, Inc. was formed by art historian David Huntington (1922-1990). Under his leadership, Olana Preservation purchased the property in 1966. Olana was transferred to the State of New York later that year.
The Site:
On-site and outreach enrichment programs, slides, and lectures are available for school groups, community interest groups, college and university classes and clubs. Programs from the education or curatorial departments give interesting perspectives about Olana, Frederic Church, Victorian America, and the American Art scene in the nineteenth-century.