Friends of Historic Saugerties

Hudson River Linkage and Legacy – In Two Chapters: Thomas Cole National Historic Site and Olana
Valerie Balint will discuss the interconnectedness between these two iconic artists and the houses they lived in on opposite sides of the Hudson River. She will introduce the historic relationship between these artists and the development of the Hudson River School, while also explaining how these two sites were preserved and ultimately opened as public museums. Balint will also explore how these sites continue to evolve through innovative stewardship and interpretation, and how they collaborate together to continue their narrative of a unique joint history into the future.

Valerie Balint is a longtime advocate for recognizing and valuing the important place American artists’ homes hold within the greater context of cultural history in America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Balint Program Manager of the Historic Artists Homes & Studios Program (HAHS) in 2017. HAHS is a coalition of 40 independent museums that preserve artists homes and creative spaces throughout the country.

Valerie’s experience also includes serving as a longtime curator and later interim director of collections and research for The Olana Partnership, working at the Frelinghuysen Morris Foundation and at Chesterwood on special curatorial projects, and work on the Save Outdoor Sculpture project among many other accomplishments. Currently she is the co-vice president of the Hudson Opera House in Hudson, New York.

All Friends of Historic Saugerties talks are open to anyone who is interested in history! Seating is limited to 81, please plan accordingly.