named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Circles of Influence: Thomas Cole and the American Landscape Movement
Exhibition (June 20–Dec 2026) highlighting Cole’s influence on Hudson River School artists including Frederic Church and Asher B. Durand
Contemporary Vistas: Cynthia Daignault: Light Atlas
Immersive exhibition (June 20–Nov 1, 2026) in the reconstructed New Studio featuring 360 landscape paintings inspired by Cole
K-12 School Programs
Educational programs culminating in a student exhibition, designed for school groups
Professional Development Program for Teachers
Program offering training and resources for educators on integrating art and history
Sunday Salon Speaker Series
Year-round series featuring curators, artists, and scholars discussing Cole’s legacy and American art
Thomas Cole: An American Visionary
Special exhibition (April 25–Dec 2026) featuring Thomas Cole’s landscape paintings, painting objects, and easels in the Richard Sharp Gallery
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Guided Historic Site Tours 2 activities
- Delivers guided and group visit experiencesOffers guided group visits for educational and tour groups of 10–40 people, including access to historic interiors, special exhibitions, and grounds. Optional add-ons include guided art-making activities, catered lunches, and cider tastings, available year-round by reservation.
- Provides public access and visitor services at the historic siteOffers general admission Wednesday through Sunday, including self-guided and guided access to historic buildings, permanent and special exhibitions, and visitor facilities such as the Cole Center and gift shop. Grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk for free public access, with provisions for personal photography and on-site artistic work under protective guidelines.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Hosts exhibitions of historical and contemporary artCurates and presents permanent and rotating exhibitions of Thomas Cole’s landscape paintings, Hudson River School works, and contemporary art inspired by Cole, including multi-site installations and collaborations with guest curators and national art institutions. Exhibitions are held in the Main House, New Studio, Storehouse Studio, and affiliated galleries.
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Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
- Hosts public events and community programsOrganizes year-round public programming including the Sunday Salon speaker series, Second Saturday art-making, curator tours, close-looking sessions, youth programs, and special events such as birthday parties and art-centered gatherings for children and families.
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History Education Curriculum Development 1 activity
- Offers educational programs for schools and teachersProvides curriculum-aligned school programs that use American art to teach American history, along with professional development for teachers, downloadable lesson plans, and a student exhibition. These programs are part of broader public education initiatives tied to exhibitions and site interpretation.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Preserves and interprets the home and studios of Thomas ColeOperates the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, including the preservation and public interpretation of the artist’s 19th-century home, studios, and surrounding grounds near the Hudson River with views of the Catskill Mountains. The site is open year-round for visitation and includes access to historic interiors, original Thomas Cole paintings, and decorative wall paintings.
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Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
- Produces digital and audio educational resourcesProvides a free digital guide and audio content featuring commentary from curators, contemporary artists, and performances of Thomas Cole’s writings by a Hollywood actor, enhancing on-site exploration and remote engagement with the historic site and its collections.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Supports volunteer engagement and trainingEngages volunteers in site operations and public programming through the Visitor Engagement Team, providing training in site history and museum operations, along with benefits such as free admission and complimentary membership.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.22M
Contributions & grants$1.70M77%
Program service revenue$265K12%
Investment income$122K5%
Other revenue$131K
expenses
Total expenses$1.88M
Program expenses64%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising21%
Salaries & benefits$1.22M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.43M
Cash$130K
Investments$2.19M
Liabilities$277K
Net assets$8.15M
Liquid reserves14.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +38.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH B JACKS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $125K |
board members · 16
- ANNE MILLER — TRUSTEE
- CARRIE FEDER — TRUSTEE
- EMMA DAVIDSON TRIBBS — SECRETARY
- ERIN DZIEDZIC — TRUSTEE
- EVELYN TREBILCOCK — TRUSTEE
- HUDSON TALBOTT — TRUSTEE
- JENNY PARK ADAM — TRUSTEE
- LISA FOX MARTIN — CHAIR
- MARIANNE LOCKWOOD — TRUSTEE
- NINA MATIS — TRUSTEE
- STEPHEN SHADLEY — TRUSTEE
- SUSAN BALL — TRUSTEE
- SUSAN GATES AUSTIN WARNER — TRUSTEE
- TARA SULLIVAN — TRUSTEE
- THOMAS DE SWARDT — TREASURER
- WARNER SHOOK — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 42
Who they work with
- Alexander Acevedo / Alexander Gallery Partner — Gift donor of artworks to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
- Art Bridges Funder — Provided support for the 2026 exhibition initiative
- Bloomberg Philanthropies Partner — Collaborated to create the free digital guide through the Bloomberg Connects initiative.
- Bob and Carol Lockyer Collection Partner — Loan provider of Thomas Cole paintings for exhibition
- Catskill Public Library Partner — Participates in the Member Library Pass program, enabling cardholders to receive free admission
- David and Laura Grey Partner — Gift donor of artworks to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
- Dr. Susan G. A. Warner Partner — Gift donor of artworks to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
- Edith Cole Silberstein Partner — Gift donor of artworks to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
- Events by Ananis Partner — Collaborates with the organization for event planning services
- FareHarbor Partner — Platform used for ticketing and visitor reservations.
- Greene Land Trust Partner — Co-promotes the Mawignack Preserve, a site featuring landscapes painted by Thomas Cole.
- Heritage Partners Partner — Co-prepared the Cultural Landscape Report for the Thomas Cole Site along with Robert M. Toole.
- Hudson River Skywalk Partner — Participates in a historic and scenic walkway that connects the Thomas Cole Site with Olana over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
- Institute of Museum and Library Services Funder — Provided support for the Life at Cedar Grove research report prepared by independent researcher Maureen Hart Hennessey.
- J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Partner — Owner and lender of Thomas Cole artwork in the collection
- John G. Waite Associates, Architects Partner — Prepared the 2019 Historic Structure Report on the 1815 Main House with support from the National Park Service.
- Left Bank Ciders Partner — Provides organized cider tastings and educational discussions for visiting groups
- Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Partner — Collaborated on the America 250 programming initiative
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Collaborates on curating exhibitions at the 1846 New Studio
- Michael Altman Fine Art & Advisory Services, LLC Partner — Gift donor of artworks to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site
- Mountain Top Arboretum Partner — Collaborates on regional cultural and natural tourism by promoting nearby public gardens and trail access.
- National Endowment for the Humanities Funder — Supported the "Thomas Cole: Painting the Nature of America" exhibition
- National Endowment for the Humanities Government — Provided a major grant to establish the Program Endowment supporting educational programs
- National Gallery of Art Partner — Collaborates on curating exhibitions at the 1846 New Studio
- National Park Service Government — Affiliate partner providing formal recognition and collaboration opportunities
- National Park Service Government — Manages the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in partnership with the nonprofit organization.
- National Park Service Government — Provides support for the Thomas Cole Site's programs and operations and designates the site as an affiliated area of the National Park System.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Supports the Thomas Cole Site with funding through the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provided public funding for the America 250 initiative
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides partial support for programs with funding from the Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature
+ 12 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Art as a Bridge Between Past and Presentmethodology: artistic_dialogue_across_centuriesBy placing contemporary art and voices in dialogue with historic spaces and Cole’s legacy, we make 19th-century themes feel urgent and relevant today, because artistic continuity and critique help audiences see enduring societal challenges around nature, power, and identity.
- Equitable Access as Engagement Strategymethodology: equity-access-pricingBy removing financial barriers to entry through free admission for underserved groups, we broaden public engagement with American art and history, because inclusive access enables diverse audiences to participate in cultural dialogue and form personal connections to heritage.
- Experiential Art and Landscape Educationmethodology: experiential-educationBy immersing visitors in the actual landscapes and historic contexts that inspired Thomas Cole’s work, we deepen understanding of American art and environmental stewardship, because direct sensory and emotional engagement strengthens connection to abstract themes like national identity and nature preservation.