Birthplace of American Art in Upstate New York to Get New Visitor Center and More

The place where the first art movement in America was born is being transformed.

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Upstate New York recently launched a new visitor center and infrastructure improvements designed to increase tourism and promote the region’s economic growth.

Thomas Cole National Historic Site, located in the Catskill Hills, New York, preserves the home and workshops of one of America’s most famous artists, Thomas Cole. Around 20,000 art lovers visit the site each year to explore Cole’s salons and immerse themselves in his art, according to Jennifer Greim, director of development and external relations.

In addition to commemorating Cole, this facility is partnering with the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Site and the New York State Department of Environmental Protection to support the Hudson River School Art Trail.

The trail includes an extensive network of hiking trails showcasing the scenic landscapes depicted in early landscape paintings.

New York opens new horizons

The Catskill mountain region celebrates its history as the epicenter of an influential art movement. Greene County purchased the Thomas Cole House in 1998, opening it to the public in 2001. It has since undergone many renovations, including the renovation of Cole’s “New Studio” and the addition of a bridge across the Hudson River.

The latest project, launched in November, aims to improve the guest experience with a new visitor center complete with gift shop, café and outdoor patio. The Cole Center will also host visitor orientations, special events and creative events.

Renowned celebrity architect Stephen Shadley, who also serves on the center’s board of trustees, designed the new building at no cost, inspired by Cole’s 19th-century designs.

Project impact and development

Empire State Development (ESD), New York City’s primary economic development agency, invested in the project with a $360,000 grant that contributed to a total of $1.8 million provided by New York State to support the historic site.

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is the driving force behind the region’s economy. Elizabeth B. Jacks, Executive Director of the Center, highlights the museum’s economic importance. “A recent economic impact study showed that the Thomas Cole site generates $2.5 million in added value for the county each year,” she said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

On-site improvements will boost tourism in the area, rejuvenate climate conditions to help preserve historic sites and improve the visitor experience.

Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School

Cole founded the Hudson River School, America’s first art movement, in the mid-19th century. After moving to New York, he sailed into the Catskills, sketching the landscape of the Hudson River along the way. Once settled, he produced a series of dramatic works showcasing the region’s majestic wildlife and sparked a movement.

The first generation of Hudson River School artists flocked to the Catskill region to capture America’s natural splendor. While some focused on the serenity of the peaceful scenes, others emphasized the extent of nature’s untapped power with dramatic thunderclouds.

The next generation pushed the West towards American expansion. These artists celebrated the unspoilt beauty of the American Great Plains and explored the remote Yosemite Valleys of California. As they traveled across the country and showcased the hidden treasures of the earth in New York, they solidified the Manifest Destiny idea that was gaining popularity at the time.

The Hudson River School celebrated the pristine American landscape and promoted the romanticism of Western expansion.

Visit to the Thomas Cole Center

The new visitor center is due to open towards the end of 2023, but if you’re planning on visiting earlier, don’t worry. Grime assures us that the current visitor center and gift shop will remain open throughout construction, as will all historic buildings and exhibits.

Thomas Cole National Historic Site is the perfect weekend getaway for Northeasterners as it is less than 200 miles from the region’s three largest cities (New York, Philadelphia, and Boston). Those wishing to travel by air must fly to Albany Airport, located 40 miles to the north.

As a popular tourist destination, the region is teeming with small hotels and bed and breakfasts, offering a variety of accommodation options for travelers on all budgets.

The Thomas Cole Center is already a must-see for art lovers and American history buffs, and the new visitor center will make it a destination for everyone.

This article was prepared Partners on fire and syndicated Geek Wealth.

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