Schumer Secures $460k In Fed Funding From National Endowment For The Humanities For Historic Restoration At Thomas Cole House; Funds Will Be Used To Support The Historic Site & Uncover Long Lost Art Treasures Painted By Thomas Cole; Previously Unknown Murals Were Discovered At Cole's House In Greene County -- Schumer Also Vows To Keep Fighting For Additional Funding To Restore Newly Found Artwork

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today announced, following his push, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has approved a $460,000 grant for the home of famed landscape artist and founder of the Hudson River School, Thomas Cole. The historic site, located in the Village of Catskill in Greene County, recently discovered that Cole had painted decorative friezes in two of the rooms of his home around 1836, which are believed to have been covered by common wall paint around 1900. The paintings were unknown and lost to history until recently, when efforts to restore the rooms and their original color revealed the hidden treasures. Following the discovery, the site found strong evidence that the paintings are, in fact, by the American master, and as such are bona fide American art treasures. The site then applied for two federal grants so it could continue to uncover these murals and restore them.

As a result, Schumer visited the site earlier this month and made a personal call to NEH Chairman William "Bro" Adams to advocate for the Thomas Cole Historic Site's grant application for $460,000. Following his push, the NEH awarded these funds to the Thomas Cole Historic Site. Schumer said he will also continue to push for the additional $150,000 in federal funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that the site has applied for. Schumer vowed to continue to push for the full federal funding needed to support the Cole House and make the uncovering of these murals a reality.

"The discovery of the Cole's murals was a historic moment for Upstate New York and all American culture. With this announcement, the Thomas Cole Historic Site moves one step closer to having the full federal funding it needs to support the Cole House and preserve Cole's murals so it can share them with the world," said Senator Schumer. "This project would not be possible without these National Endowment for the Humanities funds -- a vital institution to preserving and promoting the humanities in American culture -- and I was proud to advocate for this federal investment on the Cole House's behalf. Now, we have 75 percent of the funding critical to make these restorations possible -- and I will continue to push for the remainder of the funds needed to uncover these treasures and ensure they can be enjoyed by all who visit the site for generations to come."

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