OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE

The landscape painter Frederic Edwin Church, a central figure of the romantic-influenced Hudson River School, had this impressive orientalist residence built between 1870 and 1872. It is about a ten-minute drive from Hudson, in the town of Greenport, where Church was born. He lived there until his death, in the company of his wife and their children. The house remained in the Church family until 1964, when it was bought two years later by the State of New York, which opened it to the public. The objects and furniture it contains are almost all period. They reflect Church's passion for painting and her travels to exotic destinations, especially in the Middle East. Guided tours of the house last between 60 and 75 minutes and take place at a fixed time. It is possible to buy your ticket directly on site but, during the high season, it is preferable to make a reservation in advance on the site, as the visits are given in small groups and fill up quickly. The house is located high up and offers beautiful views of the Hudson River and the Catskills.