This guided, one mile-long walking tour provides an introduction to Olana’s naturalistic, designed landscape and to Frederic Church’s work as an artist, landscape designer, and environmental visionary. Remarkably intact, this National Historic Landmark is a 250-acre composition integrating architectural and landscape features, including a working farm, man-made lake, replanted native woodlands, and more than five miles of carriage roads. Experience Church’s living landscape masterwork against a backdrop of sublime and far-reaching views of the Hudson Valley. This fully-exterior tour covers approximately one mile over unpaved roads, and is not ADA accessible.

Beginning in April! This guided driving tour along Frederic Church’s designed carriage roads provides a most comprehensive exploration of Olana as a 250-acre masterwork of American landscape design. Experience river and mountain views and enjoy sweeping vistas of the Church’s designed farm and park. Journey along the original historic approach road, taking in the exterior architecture of the Historic House just as guests of Frederic Church once did. PLEASE NOTE: Tour begins and ends at the Frederic Church Center. Please allow a 30 minute gap when scheduling additional tours as they begin in different locations. Ages 8 and above. Limit 5 passengers per vehicle.

This 45-minute guided tour provides an introduction to Frederic Church’s home at Olana. Approach and enter the historic House as guests of the Church family did, experiencing sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. Explore the art-filled, lavishly decorated public rooms of the first floor, including Church’s painting studio and learn about the work and life of America’s preeminent landscape artist. This tour is fully ADA accessible. For a complete Olana experience, pair this tour with a guided walking or electric vehicle tour of the artist-designed landscape at Olana. Be sure to leave at least 30 minutes in between tours.

This winter, harness your powers of observation and join a series of special ‘close looking’ conversations. During 45-minute guided dialogues, learn more about two to three works of art from Olana's collection through visual analysis, personal reflection, and historical information. Discover how slowing down and focusing attention can foster deep connections with works of art, artists, and ourselves. New works of art will be featured each month; no prior knowledge of art is required. Second floor galleries require several flights of stairs and are not ADA accessible. Seating will be provided.

Saturday, May 17, 8:00-10:00am

Get your binoculars ready for this special spring migration bird walk at Olana State Historic Site! Join the Alan Devoe Bird Club and The Olana Partnership on an exploration of Olana’s artist-designed landscape and learn more about visiting birds and the species that call this region home during the peak of spring migration. Open to birders of all levels. This program will take place in the landscape along Olana's historic carriage roads.

FREE. Advanced registration required. For more information, please contact education@olana.org or call (518) 567-2170.

Image credit: Suzy Allman

Saturday, May 17, 11:00AM-1:00PM

Get creative in the kitchen and art studio at Olana State Historic Site! Join The Sylvia Center Chefs and The Olana Partnership educators for a fun, family-friendly program focused on cooking food and making art inspired by Olana’s landscape and history. Try new foods and test new art materials together during this FREE family program! This class focuses on making a Senegalese mango salad bursting with herbs, cherry tomatoes, and golden mango and creating colorful art and food.

For families with children 18 and under (children must be accompanied by an adult). This is the first in a series of three classes – register for one or all three! This program is FREE (suggested donation $12). Registration includes art-making supplies and all ingredients to make lunch.

Advance registration required. For more information, please contact education@olana.org or call (518) 751-6938.

Saturday, May 17, 2025, 1:00-2:00pm

Experience learning, looking closely, and conversation as a family during this series of special museum gallery program at Olana State Historic Site. Each month, The Olana Partnership educators will lead an exploration of two to three works of art on the second floor galleries through family-friendly dialogue and other hands-on activities. Extend your day at OLANA and head down to the Wagon House Education Center for a free drop-in program, Art Making in the Afternoon from 1-4 PM.

Designed for families with children ages 3 and up. FREE PROGRAM Advanced registration required. Please contact education@olana.org to learn more.

This program is presented in connection with "A Closer Look," an installation inside the historic house.