Press Release
May 29, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brian Vattimo
518/486-1868
PARKS COMMISSIONER, FRIENDS OF OLANA COMMEND CONGRESSMAN SOLOMON FOR SUPPORT
(Albany, New York May 29, 1998 ...) New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro and Friends of Olana President George Rodenhausen today commended U.S. Representative Gerald B.H. Solomon (R-Glens Falls) for his efforts in securing $1 million in federal funding to help support the proposed $20 million restoration and construction project at Olana State Historic Site, the home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church.
"Congressman Solomon has once again shown himself as a leader in the preservation of the history of New York State and acknowledges the importance of tourism in the economic growth of the Hudson Valley," said Commissioner Castro.
"It's wonderful to have this kind of support at the beginning of this important renovation project," said Rodenhausen. "This effort on Mr. Solomon's part shows that he fully supports our plan for Olana. Olana is a state-owned site that has become a nationwide tourist attraction."
The $1 million appropriation was included in an amendment to the Federal Transportation Bill which passed Congress last week. The legislation now awaits President Clinton's s ignature. The $20 million restoration proposal at Olana also includes plans for the creation of a museum/visitor center.
"It was a modest proposal and Mr. Solomon was able to get it through the Conference Committee," said Solomon aide William Teator. "He's been impressed with the proposed restoration plan since he was at Olana, and he told them that whenever the opportunity arose he would get them some seed money."
Commissioner Castro and Rodenhausen also acknowledged the work of each partner.
"Friends of Olana are ideal partners with New York State in working to achieve a benefit for all citizens in the preservation and enhancement of Olana," said Commissioner Castro.
"The openness of Commissioner Castro and her staff and their willingness to work closely with the private sector to improve the state parks system and our historic sites has been tremendous," said Rodenhausen.
The draft of a comprehensive plan to restore Olana has been developed jointly between State Parks and the Friends of Olana. It includes the full restoration of Church's Moorish castle, including roof repair, restoration of stencil decoration and mechanical systems; the continued restoration of the grounds; construction of a new museum/visitor center; and the conservation of the collection of more than 40,000 pieces, including works by Church and other artists.