Olana House is not just a house, it is a masterpiece of art and architecture that reflects the vision and creativity of one of America’s most influential landscape painters, Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900). Church was a leading figure of the Hudson River School, a group of artists who celebrated the natural beauty and diversity of America in their paintings. He traveled extensively around the world, and brought back inspiration and artifacts from his journeys to decorate his home and studio.

In this blog post, we will share with you some of the highlights of our visit to Olana House and why we think it is a must-see destination for anyone who loves art, history, and nature.

The House

The main house at Olana is a unique mixture of Victorian architectural elements and Middle-Eastern decorative motifs. Church worked closely with architect Calvert Vaux to realize this distinctive home. The exterior features colored brick, wood, slate, ceramic tile and stenciling that create a rich and exotic appearance. The interior is filled with eclectic furnishings and objects that Church collected from his travels, such as Persian rugs, Chinese porcelain, Turkish lamps, and Egyptian sculptures. The house also showcases many of Church’s paintings, sketches, and studies, as well as works by his friends and contemporaries.

One of the most striking rooms in the house is the Court Hall, which serves as the main entrance and reception area. The walls are covered with stenciled patterns that resemble Persian carpets, and the ceiling is painted with stars and constellations. The room also displays a large collection of weapons from different cultures and periods, such as swords, daggers, rifles, and pistols.

Another remarkable room is the Studio, which was added to the house in 1888. This is where Church painted some of his most famous works, such as The Icebergs (1861) and The Heart of the Andes (1859). The Studio has large windows that offer panoramic views of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The room also has a fireplace, a skylight, an observation tower, and a balcony. The walls are decorated with paintings by Church and other artists, as well as photographs and souvenirs from his travels.

The Landscape

The house is not the only attraction at Olana. The property covers 250 acres of land that Church designed as an extension of his artistic vision. He created a landscape that blends natural features with artificial elements, such as lakes, ponds, meadows, forests, orchards, gardens, bridges, roads, and fences. He also planted exotic trees and plants that he acquired from his trips abroad. He named his estate Olana after a fortress in ancient Persia that he admired.

The landscape at Olana offers many opportunities for exploration and enjoyment. You can walk along the five miles of carriage roads that wind through the property, or hike on the trails that lead to scenic overlooks. You can picnic on the lawns or by the lake, or join guided tours that explain the history and significance of the landscape. You can also admire the wildlife that inhabits the estate, such as birds, deer, foxes, turtles, frogs, and fish.

The Experience

If you are interested in visiting Olana House yourself, here are some practical information you need to know:

• Olana House is located at 5720 State Rte 9G, Hudson, NY, 12534. It is about two hours drive from New York City.
• Olana House is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:45 PM. You can purchase individual tour tickets online or at the site. Tours are available for different parts of the house and landscape. You can also explore at your own pace with an audio guide or a map.
• Olana House has a museum store that sells books, souvenirs, art supplies, and local products. You can also shop online at their website.
• Olana House is partially accessible to people with mobility limitations and other types of accessibility concerns. Please contact them in advance to arrange for special accommodations.
• Olana House is a carry-in, carry-out, tobacco-free environment. Dogs are welcome outdoors and must be leashed at all times.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and that it inspired you to visit Olana House yourself. If you do, please share your thoughts and impressions with us in the comments section below. Thank you for reading!