I am visiting Olana, my favorite historic house, today – 50 years after my first visit at 14 years old. This fabulous house was one of the influences that guided me toward a career in historic preservation.
Olana is a Hudson River Valley Orientalist Victorian masterpiece. Designed by Calvert Vaux and its owner, landscape artist Frederic Edwin Church, it was built in 1870-72. The studio wing was added by Church in 1888-1891.
The polychrome stone, brick, tile, and stenciled paint exterior of Olana is a mixture of American Victorian stylistic elements and Middle Eastern decorative motifs. Moorish elements mix with Italianate massing and a Second Empire mansard roof on the tower. The extensive stenciled paint decoration carries into the interior. The house is filled with treasures collected by the Churches all over the world and many works of art. It is well worth a visit!
Olana is included as an example of Exotic and Eclectic houses in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners,” one of 25 styles and types illustrated in the chapter.
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Our shop also carries select preservation and restoration titles by other authors. Save with our multi-book combo packs!
“Restoring Your Historic House is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2026.
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