Olana State Historic Site

We see it on the hilltop and drive by it all the time, and everyone should spend a day wandering the halls and rooms (and hiking trails and carriage roads) of Olana, gawking and ogling at all the detail and inspiration. If you have a local library membership, you can book free passes. Built by painter Frederic Church with help from Calvert Vaux (who was also busy designing Central Park's buildings) the house was finished in 1891, influenced by architecture the Churches saw on travels through Beirut, Jerusalem, and Damascus. The stenciling on the walls and doors inside have never been painted over, and the best way to clean them is with a Pink Pearl eraser, isn't that something? In an early win for historic preservation in the 1960s, Olana was saved nearly three weeks before it was scheduled to be bulldozed 🫨😅 highly recommend. Comfy Key: Third Space • Daytime Cozy