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Governor Hochul Announces $25 Million in Improvements at Olana State Historic Site

New Public/Private Partnership Orientation Center to Improve Visitor Experience

Includes Major Painting Project, New Wayfinding Maintenance Facility, Solar, General Site Improvements

View Renderings Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Olana State Historic Site will undergo major capital and site improvement projects over the next two years, including construction of the Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape, a new entry and orientation facility at the historic site in Hudson, Columbia County. The sustainably designed, all-electric Frederic Church Center will be a gateway to all visitors to Olana State Historic Site and is the marquee project of a $25 million investment to the site.

"The new projects will build on the legacy of Olana - the visionary home, studio and landscape design of artist Frederic Church and his family," Governor Hochul said. "The Frederic Church Center will add to this canvas and help to welcome patrons to one of the most strikingly beautiful places in New York State."

"With these $25 million in improvements, Olana will once again welcome visitors from in and out of our state to take in breathtaking views and education programs," said Lieutenant Governor Delgado. "Thanks to everyone's commitment to this partnership and we invite everyone to come rediscover Olana."

The building will include a spacious entry lobby for ticketing and orientation, a café, restrooms, and a multipurpose room adjoining outdoor terraces and paths that connect to Olana's historic carriage road network, making all 250 acres of the historic landscape an integral part of public interpretation. As the principal entry point for a National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site that attracts over 200,000 visitors annually, the Frederic Church Center will provide a highly visible, publicly accessible demonstration of sustainable design and carbon neutral construction.

Olana was the 19th century home, studio and designed landscape of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church in Hudson. These major projects are the result of the award-winning Strategic Landscape Design Plan developed in 2015 between New York State Parks, The Olana Partnership, the LA Group, and Nelson, Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects. The plan received the 2017 National Honor Award for Analysis and Planning from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Read the full press release here.