LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the preser-
vation of Olana as a New York State Historic Site

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the preser-
vation of historical landmarks that serve to enhance the growth of the
State of New York, ensuring that the complete history of our State and
Nation is shared with present and future generations of citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the preservation of Olana as a New York
State Historic Site; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, Olana, the splendid estate and Moorish-inspired home
of 19th Century landscape artist Frederic Edwin Church, was in danger of
destruction when heirs decided to sell the property -- with its incompa-
rable Hudson River views -- along with Church's magnificent art
collections and invaluable bazaar of oriental treasures; and
WHEREAS, This news prompted public outcry and national attention to
save the site and led to the introduction of legislation sponsored on
March 23, 1966 by Assemblyman Clarence Lane and Senator Lloyd Newcombe
to authorize the purchase of Olana by the State of New York and to open
it to the public as a museum and park; at the same time, the Olana Pres-
ervation, as it was then called, was founded by Governor Nelson
Rockefeller's cousin, Alexander (Sam) Aldrich, to secure funding to
protect the site; and
WHEREAS, On June 22, 1966, when the bill was ready, as recalled by
Aldrich's wife Phyllis, a Life Magazine article entitled "A century old
refuge of art and splendor: Must this Mansion be Destroyed?" was placed
on the desk of every state legislator; it included spectacular photo-
graphs of Olana and a detailed description about the importance of this
site to our state heritage; and
WHEREAS, The Lane-Newcombe Act passed unanimously, and the Governor
stated, "Because of the efforts of those who are here present, that this
unique spot, this truly beautiful spot will be available to citizens of
the state and future generations to come and enjoy;" and
WHEREAS, Before the completion of the Legislative Session, on June 27,
1966, Governor Rockefeller flew to Olana by helicopter to sign the Lane-
Newcombe Bill into law in front of Frederic Church's home; one year
later, on June 3, 1967, Olana opened to the public as an official New
York State Historic Site; and
WHEREAS, Fifty years later, Olana has flourished, becoming a national-
ly-treasured and internationally-recognized tourist destination and
economic engine for our state and region, preserving 126 acres of farm-
land dating from 1860, as well as 18 acres which were added in 1866 to
build the main house atop the hill; and
WHEREAS, Inspired by an autumn trip in 1867 to ancient ruins in Rome,
Beirut, Jerusalem and Petra, Frederic Church and his wife, Isabel,
commissioned renowned architect Calvert Vaux, who was then designing
Central Park's buildings, to design their dream home just a few miles
south of Hudson, New York; and
WHEREAS, Impressively situated atop a long slope overlooking the
bucolic Hudson River Valley, the home incorporates a unique mixture of
Victorian architectural elements with Middle-Eastern decorative motifs
on the exterior, as well as with asymmetrical towers and block masonry
punctuated by stained glass windows and porches; and
WHEREAS, While Frederic Church was a leader of the Hudson River School
of Painting, America's first art movement, many consider the naturalist
landscape that encompasses Olana's 250 acres one Church's greatest works

of art; today, it exists as one of the most intact artist-designed land-
scapes in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The estate was also used as a working and ornamental farm and
orchard with five miles of carriage roads for visitors to enjoy the
native woodlands, meadows, artificial lake and sublime views of the
Hudson River; and
WHEREAS, The 3,000 acre viewshed surrounding Olana was an essential
part of Frederic Church's original composition and it remains astonish-
ingly intact as a result of the 1966 law passed in this Legislature and
the public-private partnerships built to protect the historic viewshed;
and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished past, the New York State
Historic Site, Olana, may take just pride in its unique historical and
artistic contributions as it looks forward to continuing to serve the
educational, environmental, recreational and cultural needs of the
community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the preservation of Olana as a New
York State Historic Site; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Olana Partnership.