Olana

State Historic Site

Home of Hudson River School artist Fredreric Church

Summer 2013 Newsletter

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE

EXHIBITIONS
MAINE SUBLIME: FREDERIC CHURCHS LANDSCAPES OF MOUNT DESERT AND MOUNT KATAHDIN June 9 - October 27, 2013
Frederic Church was Americas most important painter during the middle years of the 19th century. While famous for his scenes of the Arctic, South America, and the Near East, his landscapes of Maine were central to his career for over four decades. This exhibition explores first his early mastery of the conventions of art history, the expressions of national history during his maturity, and finally the poignant reflections of personal history in his later years. Guest curated by John Wilmerding, the Christopher Binyon Sarofim Professor of American art, emeritus, at Princeton University. Maine Sublime includes 10 oil and 13 pencil sketches from the Olana collection that celebrate the glories of Maine scenery. Many will be on public view for the first time, including the vibrant plein-air sketch Wood Interior near Mount Katahdin, c. 1877.

HISTORY OF OLANA

Frederic Church, impressed by the architecture he saw in cities like Beirut, Jerusalem and Damascus, envisioned a home at Frederic Edwin Olana that incorporated Middle Eastern Church Award elements and designs. Drawings by Rich- Gala ard Morris Hunt document that Church Join us as we honor considerd using him as an architect, but two outstanding ultimately decided on Calvert Vaux. individuals who In the fall of 1872, Church and Is- each are transformabel and their growing family of children ing the perception moved into the second story of the new of American art house while Church continued to decorate Betsy Broun and the ground floor. He designed stencils and Stephen Hannock. chose the colors with which to decorate the walls and ceilings. Eclectic furnishThursday, May 23 ings soon filled the house, gathered from 7:00 - 11:00 PM NYC and abroad, and eventually, from New York Public the Church family home in Hartford, Library, New York City Connecticut. Frederic even designed a few pieces of furniture. The couple filled the house with thousands of objects meant to direct the attention to the great civiliza- Millinery Confections Join historian Sue McLane, dressed in tions of the past. Church continued to work on the antique period clothing, as she describes the purposes of a variety of hats worn house for much of the rest of his life. In 1885 he began a campaign to repair and by ladies and gentlemen during the 19th Century. See a vintage display of original improve the house, and in 1888, began the studio wing, with guest rooms and a hats from 1850 to 1950. Learn about the glassed- in observation room in the tower. proper way to wear a hat, which is becomBy 1891, the house was essentially com- ing a lost art. plete, looking much as it does today. Saturday, April 27 2:00 - 3:00pm Wagon House Education Center

UPCOMING EVENTS

Spring Migratory Bird Walk with Audubon NY

The artist first journeyed to Maine in the summer of 1850 spending six weeks on Mount Desert exploring the coast, its rocky Islands, and peaceful harbors. In 1852 he trekked inland focusing on the area of Mount Katahdin. Over the next decades Church continued to visit Maine capturing sensational sunsets, robust crashing waves, impressive peaks, and an abundance of wilderness.

Join Audubon NY Education Coordinator Larry Federman on a bird walk during one of the most exciting times of the year to observe birds. Mid-May is the height of migration and we have the possibility of seeing many neotropical migrants as they return or pass through for the breeding season. Bring a pair of binoculars and sturdy walking shoes. Pre-registration required. Thursday, May 16 7:30am Wagon House Education Center

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE

OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE