Near Hudson in Columbia County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Woodshed
Firewood would have been transported from the woodshed to smaller storage areas around the estate. The wood supplied fireplaces and stoves throughout the main house, coachman’s house and stable, Brezie farmhouse and Cozy Cottage for cooking, laundry, and general heating.
Left Photo Caption: This ca. 1934 photograph shows logs drying outside of the woodshed, with smaller pieces piled up inside. The building’s wide front openings and high ceiling facilitated adequate circulation of air.
Middle Illustration Caption: Olana’s archives include numerous bills and receipts for tons of coal and “stove chestnut,” a size of coal suitable for use in stoves. The firewood and coal were stored in the basement.
Top Illustration Caption: Plan of Olana, by Frederic Joseph Church, 1886. When Frederic Edwin Church purchased his farm, approximately 45% of the 126 acres consisted of woodlots and wetlands. He acquired other woodlots as the estate grew.
Right Photo Caption: Olana was originally heated by a hot-air system fueled by a combination of wood and coal that provided heat to the main rooms on the first and second floor. A second hot-air system was installed in 1889. Heat generated by the furnaces was supplemented by fireplaces in the primary first- and second-floor rooms and heating stoves in the basement work areas, servants’ quarters, and secondary spaces. (Photo is of the sitting room)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 42° 12.734′ N, 73° 49.738′ W. Marker is near Hudson, New York, in Columbia County. Marker is in Olana State Historic Site in the Lake and Garden parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hudson NY 12534, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Icehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Kitchen Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Barnyard (about 400 feet away); Cosy Cottage (about 600 feet away); Brezie Farm (about 600 feet away); Park and Lake (approx. ¼ mile away); Studio and Viewshed (approx. ¼ mile away); Columbia County (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hudson.
Also see . . . Frederic E. Church House - National Park Service. Download National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on January 17, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.