Where do I check in for the Salon?

Check in at the Cole Center using the Spring Street entrance; staff will assist with ticketing and seating.

Are tickets refundable?

Tickets are non-refundable—plan to arrive on time as late seating cannot be guaranteed.

Is the site wheelchair accessible?

The Cole Center, Storehouse, and 1846 New Studio are wheelchair accessible; the Main House first floor is accessible via an elevator lift but the second floor requires stairs.

Can I bring children or pets?

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; pets are allowed on the grounds if leashed but are not permitted inside buildings.

Is parking available?

Yes—free parking is available in the lot shared with Temple Israel; use the Spring Street entrance for check-in.

Who do I contact with ticket or accessibility questions?

Email tickets@thomascole.org or call 518-943-7465 ext. 122 for assistance.

Thomas Cole Sunday Salon: The Pic-Nic Party with Terry Carbone in Catskill | Events | History Tour

On an autumn afternoon in Catskill, New York, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site becomes less a museum than a living room for ideas. The Sunday Salon Lecture series brings scholars into the 1839 Storehouse for focused talks; on October 4, Terry Carbone, Ph.D., guides a close reading of Thomas Cole's The Pic-Nic Party, tracing how music, joy, and loss ripple through one of American landscape painting's quieter scenes. The program meets in the Cole Center; check-in is at the Spring Street entrance and parking is free in the lot shared with Temple Israel. The talk pairs close looking with wider context. Carbone's four decades in American art—curatorial leadership at the Brooklyn Museum and years directing grants for the Henry Luce Foundation—frames a narrative that connects the painting to the Hudson River School, to 19th-century social life, and to the site's own historic buildings: the Main House, the 1839 Storehouse, and the 1846 New Studio. Visitors will recognize the layered interiors of Cole's world and the objects that shaped his practice. Expect an intimate audience and accessible spaces: the Cole Center, Storehouse, and New Studio are wheelchair accessible, although some second-floor rooms in the Main House require stairs. Paths around the grounds are loose gravel, so bring sturdy shoes. The program runs in the afternoon (2–3:30 pm) and includes access to the 1839 Storehouse; attendees receive 50% off general admission for the day, before or after the Salon. Why book this Salon when you're in the Hudson Valley? The Thomas Cole site is one of the few places where architecture, studio spaces, and a living curatorial program converge—letting readers see the maker's world and then hear an expert unpick a single work. It's an especially good stop for small-group travelers who prefer conversation to crowds and who want the local cultural scene served with scholarly rigor. Practical notes: tickets are non-refundable; arrive early to check in at the Cole Center; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; pets are allowed on the grounds but not in buildings. For questions or ticket help, email [email protected] or call 518-943-7465 ext. 122. Whether you're a museumgoer after close interpretation or a traveler layering cultural stops onto a Hudson Valley itinerary, this Salon promises attentive reading of a painting and a clear window into the artist's places of work. The site also offers a free digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, and a wheelchair is available upon request in the Cole Center. Umbrellas are loaned at building entrances during inclement weather on a first-come, first-served basis. Small groups often combine the Salon with a walk on nearby village streets or a stop at local galleries to extend the conversation beyond the buildings together.

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.