Olana, the former home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church in Greenport, NY, is a New York State Historic Site and public park. Set on a breathtaking 250-acre estate, it reflects Church’s artistic vision, his deep love for the Hudson Valley and his fascination with travel and exploration across the globe. A day trip to Olana should include a tour of both the grounds and the house, where Church lived with his wife, Isabel, and their four children. The home—designed by Church and built between 1860 and 1900 after his travels in the Middle East—blends Victorian architecture with Middle…

When I was studying at the Berkshires Botanical Garden to become a professional horticulturist, I was obsessed with learning everything I could about gardening. I devoured books and classes but…