NOI Full Text.pdf

NOI Full Text

Public Purpose

Preserve the Thomas Cole House and other structures in the historic site and assist with educational programs and research and interpretation of the Thomas Cole House and associated landscapes.

Facilitate public understanding and enjoyment of the lives and works of the Hudson River artists through the provision of assistance to develop, present, and fund art exhibits, resident artists programs, and other appropriate activities related to the preservation, interpretation, and use of the historic site.

Maintain the structures and landscapes of the site in such a manner as to provide visitors with a sense of the period and significance as it relates to Thomas Cole and other Hudson Valley painters and to provide for the enjoyment of outdoor activities.

The entire Thomas Cole property and buildings were acquired in 1998, by the Greene County Historical

Society. The seller of the property created the Thomas Cole Foundation, which was never affiliated with the Thomas Cole Site. On December 9, 1999, PL 106-146 established the Thomas Cole National Historic

Site as an affiliated site of the National Park Service. In late 2009, a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization was chartered with New York State to administer the site as defined in the law. All property was transferred from the Greene County Historical Society to the newly chartered organization. Due to the State of New York not accepting the name Thomas Cole National Historic Site for the charter, The Thomas Cole Historic House was designated as the legal name of the new entity. The Thomas Cole Historic House holds all of the property of the Thomas Cole site and uses annually appropriated funds to administer, operate, and maintain the site.

Statement of Work

• Preserve and maintain the buildings and grounds including the Main House, the Old Studio, the New Studio, the caretaker's cottage, the intern apartment, the staff offices, the privy, fences, and the lawns and gardens; Provide tours of the buildings and grounds to visitors interpreting the significance of the location as it relates to Thomas Cole and other Hudson

Valley painters.

• Implement improvements including design and installation of directional signage, removing and replacing dead trees, clearing paths and drives, and other indoor and outdoor improvements.

• Operate and maintain the Thomas Cole Site and its related property including utilities, operating and office supplies, building/landscape maintenance, security, and insurance.

• Provide educational programs consisting of lectures, open house events, school programs, educational publications, exhibitions, web-based articles and exhibits, and both guided and self-guided hikes.

• Participate in regional activities and partnerships in keeping with the recipient’s purposes that enhance the economic well-being of the region and promote the mission of the Thomas

Cole Historic House. Such activities include shared exhibitions, the Hudson River School

Art Trail program (a walking and driving trail of sites where Thomas Cole and other

Hudson River School artists were inspired by the view).