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Olana Site brings tourism into the county
By Andrew Amelinckx
CRYSTAL APPLE NOMINEE — Many people are aware of the historical, educational and artistic importance of Olana — the stately home of Frederic Church in Greenport — but what is less known is the economic impact Olana has on the area.
Olana brings in $7.9 million a year to the local economy and support 267 jobs, according to a recent economic impact study done by the Olana Partnership, the nonprofit support arm of Olana State Historic Site.
For this and many other reasons, the Olana Partnership has been nominated for the annual Crystal Apple Award, given to one business a year by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. The award honors area businesses that have demonstrated significant improvement of community services, expanded educational opportunities, private investment, job creation and distinguished involvement in civic affairs, among other areas.
“We are thrilled to be considered for such a well-respected and prestigious award,” said Sara Johns Griffen, president of the Partnership.
“They’re a great nominee,” said Chamber President David Colby. “They have done a lot for the local economy.”
Colby said the work the Partnership has done at Olana has helped bring tourism to the county.
Olana — the house and grounds — were designed by Church beginning in 1870. Church (1826-1900) was arguably one of the most important 19th century American landscape painters and was a central figure of the Hudson River School of artists.
The house remained in the possession of the family until 1964. It was in danger of being sold off piecemeal until David Huntington, an art historian, formed the Olana Preservation in 1966 and with the assistance of the state purchased the building, grounds and collection within the house. That same year Olana was turned over to the state.
In the last decade the Partnership has raised more than $13,550,000 for projects at Olana. Griffen said that with the state they had almost completely restored the house.
“We’ve been engaged in multiple multi-million dollar projects with New York state over the years,” she said. Their latest was a $1.6 million educational center on the property.
“It’s already provided wonderful educational opportunities for hundreds of families,” Griffen said.
According to Griffen, Olana has a big effect on the local economy, both in tourist dollars — and in other ways.
Between the Partnership and the state it employs 27 people, many of whom are from the area, said Griffen. She said they also try to hire locally for projects, such as construction.
“It’s a specific and direct economic impact,” she said.
The Partnership is one of five nominees, including A. Colarusso and Sons — a contracting and road building company, the Bank of Greene County, the Columbia Land Conservancy — a non-profit land trust — and Ginsberg’s Foods, Inc. — a food service distributor, being considered for this year’s Crystal Apple Award.
The recipient of the Crystal Apple Award will be announced at the awards gala Friday at Lippera’s at the Chatham House.
Olana brings in $7.9 million a year to the local economy and support 267 jobs, according to a recent economic impact study done by the Olana Partnership, the nonprofit support arm of Olana State Historic Site.
For this and many other reasons, the Olana Partnership has been nominated for the annual Crystal Apple Award, given to one business a year by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. The award honors area businesses that have demonstrated significant improvement of community services, expanded educational opportunities, private investment, job creation and distinguished involvement in civic affairs, among other areas.
“We are thrilled to be considered for such a well-respected and prestigious award,” said Sara Johns Griffen, president of the Partnership.
“They’re a great nominee,” said Chamber President David Colby. “They have done a lot for the local economy.”
Colby said the work the Partnership has done at Olana has helped bring tourism to the county.
Olana — the house and grounds — were designed by Church beginning in 1870. Church (1826-1900) was arguably one of the most important 19th century American landscape painters and was a central figure of the Hudson River School of artists.
The house remained in the possession of the family until 1964. It was in danger of being sold off piecemeal until David Huntington, an art historian, formed the Olana Preservation in 1966 and with the assistance of the state purchased the building, grounds and collection within the house. That same year Olana was turned over to the state.
In the last decade the Partnership has raised more than $13,550,000 for projects at Olana. Griffen said that with the state they had almost completely restored the house.
“We’ve been engaged in multiple multi-million dollar projects with New York state over the years,” she said. Their latest was a $1.6 million educational center on the property.
“It’s already provided wonderful educational opportunities for hundreds of families,” Griffen said.
According to Griffen, Olana has a big effect on the local economy, both in tourist dollars — and in other ways.
Between the Partnership and the state it employs 27 people, many of whom are from the area, said Griffen. She said they also try to hire locally for projects, such as construction.
“It’s a specific and direct economic impact,” she said.
The Partnership is one of five nominees, including A. Colarusso and Sons — a contracting and road building company, the Bank of Greene County, the Columbia Land Conservancy — a non-profit land trust — and Ginsberg’s Foods, Inc. — a food service distributor, being considered for this year’s Crystal Apple Award.
The recipient of the Crystal Apple Award will be announced at the awards gala Friday at Lippera’s at the Chatham House.
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