Are materials provided?

Yes. All workshop materials are included; attendees receive supplies to carve and print their own designs.

What is the cancellation policy?

Tickets are non-refundable. Please confirm your availability before booking.

Yes, children may attend but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; small sharp tools are used and require supervision.

Is the site accessible?

The Cole Center, Storehouse, and 1846 New Studio are wheelchair accessible; the Main House first floor is accessible via elevator lift. Walking paths are loose gravel—contact info@thomascole.org with accessibility questions.

Where do I park and which entrance do I use?

Parking is free in the shared lot with Temple Israel. Use the Spring Street entrance and check in at the Cole Center 10–15 minutes before the start time.

Who do I contact with booking questions?

Email tickets@thomascole.org or call 518-943-7465 ext. 122 for booking and FAQ inquiries.

Printmaking at Thomas Cole: Historic Patterns Workshop in Catskill, NY | Workshop | Museum

Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York offers a compact, hands-on art workshop that connects 19th-century decorative practice to contemporary making. Located at 218 Spring Street, Catskill, NY 12414, the Second Saturday Workshop: Historic Patterns & Printmaking with Museum Educators pairs a guided tour of Thomas Cole's Main House with a practical printmaking session in the Storehouse. On arrival, museum educators lead a focused walk through rooms that retain original decorative paintings and botanical motifs created or influenced by Cole and his circle. Seeing the surfaces up close—brushwork, layered pigments, and repeating patterns—gives makers a direct visual vocabulary to translate into relief and block print techniques. The activity then moves to the Storehouse, an adjoining studio space where linocut blades, ink, and paper replace paintbrushes, and participants learn to carve, register, and hand-pull prints. Materials and instruction are included for each participant, and the class size is intentionally small—maximum 12 people—so educators can demonstrate sharp-tool safety, plate preparation, and inking methods while circulating to offer feedback. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a guardian; the program uses some small sharp tools and requires focused supervision for younger makers. Accessibility is considered: the Cole Center, Storehouse, and 1846 New Studio are wheelchair accessible, the Main House first floor is reached by an elevator lift, and walking paths on the grounds are loose gravel. The setting strengthens the experience. The grounds preserve Hudson Valley plantings and period landscape elements that appear in the decorative work; those botanical references inform many of the workshop designs. After the session, participants receive self-guided access to the museum through 4 pm—an opportunity to compare your print to the original paintings or to visit the 1846 New Studio for a different perspective on Cole's practice. Logistics are straightforward: the workshop runs 11 am-2 pm, advance registration is required, and tickets are non-refundable. Park for free in the shared lot and use the Spring Street entrance; check in at the Cole Center 10–15 minutes early. The Second Saturdays series offers monthly thematic making programs, so this workshop is a convenient cultural stop for travelers who want a short, structured creative activity. This experience suits curious travelers, art students, and families who want to make something tangible while deepening their understanding of American landscape painting. It's a rare chance to learn historic print techniques in the very site that helped define a major American art movement. Bring layered clothing, a refillable water bottle, and an openness to experiment; the educators tailor instruction to skill level, helping beginners build confidence while offering experienced makers compositional tips and advanced registration techniques to refine editioning and surface treatments. It's an accessible way to make art rooted in place.

About Thomas Cole National Historic Site

Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York preserves the home, studio, and landscape associated with Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School. The site presents guided and self-guided visits, rotating exhibitions, hands-on workshops, seasonal festivals, and group tour packages for diverse audiences.

Programs include curator-led tours, Sunday Salon talks, artist and curator roundtables, craft workshops such as needle-felting and pressed-flower making, plant-dyeing classes, educational teacher workshops, and family events tied to harvest celebrations. The site also interprets Emily Cole’s legacy through exhibitions that feature painted porcelain, works on paper, and contemporary responses to her art.

Museum educators and trained Museum Guides lead visits and workshops, and collaborating historians, curators, and artists contribute expertise to public programs. Group visits accommodate 12 to 40 participants with guided experiences up to seventy-five minutes, followed by access to the on-site gift shop. Special events have included partnerships with local organizations such as Wild Hudson Valley and Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, highlighting regional ecology, agricultural history, and community creativity.

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site operates as a steward of historic architecture, landscape, and artistic legacy, offering accessible educational programming for families, students, art lovers, and historians. Visitors to the site encounter curated exhibitions, interactive activities, and opportunities to learn about early nineteenth-century American art and environmental ideas that informed Thomas Cole’s work. Trained Museum Guides answer questions and enhance interpretation for visitors; special exhibitions, rotating programs, and partnerships connect Cole’s art to landscape, regional history, ecological themes, and contemporary artistic practice and education.