RESOURCES

Olana has an extensive research collection of primary and secondary source materials. This is open to graduate students and scholars, by appointment. Researchers should email a formal request, stating the topic and purpose of your research and items that you hope to consult at Olana. Please email our Research Archivist.

Among the items available are:

• Transcripts of correspondence to and from Frederic Edwin Church
• Transcripts of correspondence to and from Isabel Church, Louis Church and other members of the Church family
• Copies of 19th-century writings about Frederic Church
• Diaries kept by Frederic Church during trips to South America and Petra
• Research files, papers, reports and database extracts on collections at Olana, including the Old Master paintings; the natural history specimens; 19th-century visitors to Olana; frames; the Melbye/Pissaro collection; the Pre-Columbian collection
• The campaign to save Olana, 1964-1967
• Campaign to protest a proposed nuclear power plant on the Hudson River, 1970s
• Images of artworks at Olana, including Church’s architectural sketches for the main house
• MA and PhD theses on Olana, Church and related topics

Much of Olana’s original artwork and primary source material is not kept at the site. This includes the artwork by Frederic Church not on view in the main house; 19th-century photographs; prints after Church’s paintings and other prints; drawing by other artists; bills, receipts and other financial records; the records of David Huntington and other Church scholars. A Finding Aid for this material is available at Olana, and under special circumstances these materials can be accessed. Please inquire with the curatorial staff at Olana stating specifically the material you seek, and the purpose of your research.