Olana, the home of Frederick Church, who was a member of the Hudson River School of artists,  was on a “to visit” lists right from the start of our time in New York.  The visiting  architects loved the exotic feel of the Persian influenced architecture and detail .   I have to admit in my uneducated state, I didn’t appreciate it!

That changed for me, of course, with trips to Spain, Egypt, and even India. I can only imagine the comments of the locals at this most unusual house in the 19th  century, when it was built.   A house for a painter. . . every peep through a window or scene from a porch or neighboring hill screams, “Paint me!”.  If you are in the neighborhood and are the least interested , do visit this lovely home, near Hudson, New York.  Hudson itself is historic with quite a few antique shops and restaurants.