A Tour of Olana, Frederic E. Church's Historic Home
I am very pleased to accept the Frederic E. Church Award from The Olana Partnership at their annual gala event this Wednesday, January 18th, held at the fabulous New York Public Library in Manhattan. Olana is the historic home and studio of the Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church, who designed its 250 acres as artfully as he did his landscape paintings. If you have not had an opportunity to visit this beautiful property with unparalleled Hudson Valley views, please enjoy this photo tour of the home and artist-designed landscape - and plan to visit when you are in the Hudson area!
Church, a famous artist and world traveler and early conservationist, expressed himself in the creation of his masterwork, Olana. The Olana Partnership is tireless in their efforts to preserve and restore this State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark, as well as to protect Olana’s historic viewshed. We all benefit from their vision and their efforts. If you wish to contribute to the work of The Olana Partnership, or buy tickets to the gala, please call Julie Spero at 212-245-6570 or email olana@eventassociatesinc.com.
1 Church bought the property in 1860, then later purchased additional acreage in 1867. Photo: Melanie Hasbrook
2 The additional 18 acres included a hilltop with amazing views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. This view from the house is reminiscent of his landscapes paintings. Photo: Melanie Hasbrook
3 Church had his work featured in annual exhibitions alongside of artists like Thomas Cole and Asher Brown Durand. They founded the art movement known as the Hudson River School. Photo: Linda McLean
4 Church commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to build a small house, which he dubbed 'Cosy Cottage'. He and his wife, Isabel, lived there with their two children, who tragically died of diphtheria. Photo: Melanie Hasbrook
5 A view of the orchard from Cosy Cottage. Photo: Melanie Hasbrook
6 They had four more children and in 1870, Church began construction on the mansion that stands today.
7 The architectural style was inspired by the family's travels to Europe and the Middle East.
8 Much of the design elements are persian inspired, as seen here in a summer view from the Bell Tower.
9 At the front entrance, there is an Arabic message, which translates to 'Welcome.' Photo: Melanie Hasbrook
10 The window in the Court Hall stairway features cut paper sandwiched between amber glass and clear glass to create the look of a screen. Photo: Andy Wainwright
11 Church filled the home with objects from cultures and civilizations from all over the world. Photo: Andy Wainwright
12 Bust on pedestal. Photo: Andy Wainwright.
13 A beautiful tapestry hanging in the hall – Tapestries tell stories and document history, much like paintings. Photo: Andy Wainwright
14 The dining room also acts as a gallery, where Church's personal collection of Old Master paintings is displayed. Photo: Andy Wainwright
15 On display is the family's summer place setting. Photo: Andy Wainwright
16 This room was Isabel Church's sitting room, a place to entertain guests. Photo: Andy Wainwright
17 The sitting room also features this beautiful fireplace. Photo: Andy Wainwright
18 Some of the paintings in Mrs. Church's sitting room Photo: Andy Wainwright
19 The Church's Master bedroom – Church also designed some of the furniture in the home. Photo: Melanie Hasbrook
20 Church painted the interior and many of the details, like the stenciling on the doors to the library corridor. Photo: Andy Wainwright
21 On this side table lies Church's original paint box and crock of brushes. Photo: Andy Wainwright
22 This building is now known as the Wagon House Education Center. Classes, workshops, lectures, special events, children's summer programs, performances, and exhibitions all take place in this amazing state-of-the-art space.
23 Another building on the property has been repurposed a museum shop for the historical site.
24 At the gala event, guests will have an opportunity to bid on a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the newly renovated American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Chairman Morrison Heckscher.
25 This is Morrison Hecksher, Lawrence A. Fleischman Chairman of the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, who is also being honored at the event.
26 This beautiful Niagra Falls painting, by the famed Hudson River School-inspired artist Stephen Hannock, will also be auctioned off to raise funds for the Olana Partnership.
27 Also up for bid - a two-week stay at Wakatipu House on New Zealand's South Island!
28 The gala will be held at The Celeste Bartos Forum in the New York Public Library.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
In picture number 1, it looks like a castle in England. The view is spectacular!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | January 17th, 2012 at 4:09 am
Congratulations Martha on the award, Best of luck and success success. What an amazing photo tour, and gorgeous views. Stunning architecture and interiors. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | January 17th, 2012 at 7:07 am
I love it when you share New England local history on your blog! Keep it coming. Congratulations on your award.
Posted by: Karen | January 17th, 2012 at 7:55 am
Congratulations on your award Martha and thanks for giving us a tour of Olana. The hilltop views are breathtaking! How interesting to see the Middle Eastern influences in the mansion. I personally find the Cosy Cottage charming and more to my taste! I hope you have a fun and enjoyable evening accepting your award at the New York Public Library. The Celeste Bartos Forum looks lovely.
Hi Gloria G! Glad to see you back, we've
missed you!
Posted by: Cindy F | January 17th, 2012 at 9:18 am
Hi Martha, Congratulations for receiving the Frederick E. Church award and attending the spectacular event at the New York Public Library this evening! You must be thrilled about this honor! Your comments and photos about Church's Historic Home are absolutely awesome and stunning! Thanks for taking us on this marvelous tour and how fun it would be to visit that beautiful place! If only I lived near there.....! Sure hope you have a delightful day today and stay warm! We are getting snow here in the Puget Sound area and it's very cold, burrrr! Off to see The Daily Way! Hey Gloria G., sure good to see you are back again! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 17th, 2012 at 10:07 am
Awards may say more about the giver than the recipient. Watching Golden Globes and looking forward to Emmy and Oscar have made me question my interest in such events. Reading is it's own reward.Congratulations & thanks for these pics.
Posted by: ann | January 17th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Hi Martha,
You definitely fit the bill for your commitment to American Culture, decorative art and landscape design! Congratulations on your award and thanks for all the great pictures you provided here. Olana is a beautiful mansion and kudos to the Olana Partnership for preserving it for the benefit of all. I’m sure their gala on Wednesday will be a great success. Trish
Posted by: Trish | January 17th, 2012 at 11:11 am
Way to go Martha! "This year The Olana Partnership is honoring Martha Stewart for her commitment to American culture, decorative arts and landscape design."
I have to echo my sentiments that I really enjoy seeing historical sights in New England. Seeing as it is "over the river" as the locals call going over the border... it really opens my eyes and gets me excited about beautiful places to visit.
As a latent artist and landscaper... it is very inspiring to see these images.
I have on my list those carriage roads of places I must visit....along with your farm.
Posted by: Rachel | January 17th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Martha,
Congrats on your award. Thanks for sharing this historic site with us.
Posted by: KLBrown | January 17th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Martha,
Congratulations regarding the award from Olana Partnerships. Selecting you really helps make like minds aware of such American treasurers. I wonder how the craftsmen were found and employed to create such a unique home. Where have they all gone when Mr. Church, an artist, could afford such skilled work?
Thanks as always for showing us important events and locations.
Posted by: Margie | January 17th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Thanks for sharing these photos, Martha. The sitting room makes me think of times gone by like in my new favorite TV series Downton Abbey.
Posted by: Becky from Wisconsin | January 17th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Wow, congrats!!
Posted by: DeskSnacker | January 17th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Hi Martha,
One could easily replace some of the wording in paragraph #2 of the 17, January 2012 post, with your name and info.: "...Martha Stewart is tireless in her efforts to preserve and restore home-keeping, cooking and baking, gardening, entertaining, decorating, fine crafting, et al, as well as to protect America's valued traditions. We all benefit from her vision and efforts!". Although the original text is attributed to the Olana Partnetship, no truer words could undoubtedly be shared with your achievements.
Congratulations on this well-deserved award!
Bask in the accolades! Martha N.
Posted by: Martha noon | January 17th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Congratulations Martha! Thanks for the wonderful pictures! It's a dream of beauty! Hugs from Brazil
Posted by: Rosangela Brino | January 17th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Congratulations Martha! Thank you for this lovely tour of the property. Gorgeous! I have a property you should see down in Oklahoma. Similar to this, yet different. Not for sale, just for viewing. You would approve.
Posted by: Carol Shadley | January 17th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Congratulations on your award, Martha! Thank you for posting the beautiful pictures of Olana. I grew up near Hudson and my mom used to take us to Olana, so the pictures are a treat, bringing back fond memories of those field trips. Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Valerie Milligan Burgess | January 18th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Simply Gorgeous! Congrats on your award!
Smiles, Jill
Posted by: Jill | January 18th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Deeply admire your work, especially with your work exposing cruelty to farm animals. You rock, Martha! Congratulations on the award, and wish you many more!
Posted by: Shefali Mitchell | January 19th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Amazing photos, and congrats on the award!
Posted by: Alexandra | January 20th, 2012 at 1:33 pm