June & July 2025
The past two months have been full of firsts as I settled into life in Catskill and began my work as a Cole Fellow. The landscape here is gorgeous, and I have loved exploring it while getting to know my fellow Fellow, Maya, who comes to the program from Bard College just down the road. Fun fact: she actually wrote her senior thesis on Thomas Cole, which has already made for some great conversations. I have also had the joy of meeting the staff, a wonderfully welcoming group who have made the transition feel much easier.
Wallpaper and Study for the Voyage of Life Series in the Sitting Room of the Thomas Cole House
My very first week began with a crash course on Thomas Cole from Alan Wallach, a renowned Cole scholar, which was the perfect way to dive into the fellowship. I learned so much in just five days which in the grand scheme of things is very little time to learn the history of an artist such as Cole! From there, I learned about my specific focus areas and projects on site. My primary project is spearheading a publication on the history of the site itself—something that has never existed before but is greatly needed. Even with the short time I have been here I have noticed how many visitor questions had no single resource to point to. Creating what will likely become a coffee-table style book is still in its earliest stages but it feels meaningful to contribute to something that will have a lasting impact and I know will be put to good use.
Alongside the publication, I am also supporting education and visitor services. That means helping with programming, especially children’s events and community outreach, as well as developing educational content. One project I am especially excited (and admittedly a bit daunted) to take on is the creation of a new audio guide for the site. I have never done anything like it before, but that is exactly what makes the challenge worthwhile.
The fellowship also includes site visits, and in June and July we traveled to two especially meaningful places. The first was Olana, the home of Frederic Church, Thomas Cole’s student who ultimately surpassed him in fame due to his longevity, wealth and extensive travels. Experiencing Olana behind the scenes was incredible, particularly its dramatic landscape perched high on the hill across from the Cole property. What struck me most after this visit was the question of how historic sites should evolve. Olana is unique in that much of its 19th and early 20th century decor and paintings remain intact, allowing visitors to see the house almost exactly as it was during Church’s lifetime. The Cole house, by contrast, was truly lived in by the family over generations which meant most original furnishings and objects did not remain. Yet this absence has created opportunities for interpretation and projects that would not have been possible otherwise. It also allows visitors to engage more closely with the rooms, creating a sense of connection that feels essential in a historic home. I admire how the Cole site continues to bring contemporary artists into its programming and exhibitions. While not always everyone’s cup of tea, these conversations are vital. They ensure the site remains dynamic and they keep Cole’s legacy relevant today.
At the Top of Olana with (Right to Left) Maggie: Curator at Olana, Myself, Maya, Kate: Chief Curator at TCNHS and Amanda: Associate Curator at TCNHS
We also visited the Albany Institute of History and Art and the New York State Archives, where I saw journals, sketchbooks and other materials related to Cole. I especially loved the Hudson River School exhibition, which showed how wall color and thoughtful design can shape the viewing experience. It reminded me how much exhibit design matters. It also sparked thoughts of how the Bloomberg App that I helping to develop for our site could have been used so strategically in tandem with that exhibition. At the Archives, I was able to see the Cole materials in person after use of their digitized collection online. The physical organization made the digital suddenly click for me in a way that will make my ongoing research much easier.
The Hudson River Art School Exhibit at Albany Institute of History & Art
Beyond research and projects, I’ve been jumping into programs with our education coordinator Beth and am hopeful to lead some myself in the coming months. I am beginning to realize how much I love the education side of museum work, especially at a site that is just now building out so many new initiatives. It feels like an exciting place to be, with so much potential to shape what comes next.
I also celebrated my 23rd birthday in July! A milestone that felt like the perfect way to mark the start of this new chapter in my professional journey.
Painting Workshop Set up in the Storehouse.
