Cedar Grove, The Thomas Cole National Historic Site
Idyllic location
Located at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, Cedar Grove provides amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Learn More
Hudson River School Art Trail
Visitors can walk in the footsteps of pioneering artists and see the landscapes that spurred launched the Hudson River School of art. Learn More
Cedar Grove, The Thomas Cole National Historic Site
The stately Federal-style home, pristine grounds and scenic views of Cedar Grove are a fitting memorial to the founder of the Hudson River School. Learn More
Thomas Cole (1801-1848) is the founder of the art movement known as the Hudson River School, establishing an approach to landscape painting that dominated American art for over 50 years. Cole's early paintings of nature untouched by human development reinforced notions of America as a new Eden, and launched America's first indigenous art movement. Lionized during his lifetime and mourned by a generation of artists following his death at age 47, he has been "rediscovered" in recent decades as interest in the Hudson River School reached new heights. Today you can visit his Federal style brick home with a magnificent view of the Catskill Mountains, as well as his original studio building, where many of his best known masterpieces were created. Within 15 miles of the site are many of the landscapes that Cole painted, and a map is available to guide you to the views that appear in his paintings.
