Just Arrived

For several years I have been working with a group led by my first art professor, Dr. William Rhoades, learning more about the Elverhoj group and art colony in Milton, New York.

My first interest was in the artist James Scott whom I wrote about several times. He is now written about in this book and display of his works now going on at Ulster County Historical Society.

The book can be ordered from Black Dome Press, 518-577-5238 in Catskill, New York.

Featured in  August 1, 2022 Press Release
2022 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America
Most Magnificent Art Collections

Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York

Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York, has an extensive art collection of over 1800 pieces that showcase artists who chose Hudson Valley people and scenery as their subjects. Many of these artists were locals or stayed as guests at the Mountain House. The art collection truly speaks to the rich and robust history of the Mohonk Mountain House. The most famous artists in the Mohonk collection are Daniel Huntington and Henry Van Ingen. Huntington, a native New Yorker, first exhibited his work at the National Academy of Design in 1866 and painted landscapes in the tradition of the Hudson River School as well as portraits. It is believed he was the first artist to portray Mohonk Lake and its environs. Huntington also painted portraits of both Albert K. Smiley and Eliza P. Smiley – founders of the mountain resort hotel – during his time at Mohonk Mountain House. Many of the hotel’s pieces by Henry Van Ingen, including many of the oil paintings that are exhibited in the Central Staircase and Winter Lounge, were selected by Albert K. Smiley. Each one of those pieces is curated by and installed under the direction of Pril Smiley, Director of Art and fourth generation descendent of the hotel founders. Approximately 800 pieces are distributed throughout the Mohonk Mountain House hallways, public spaces, and guestrooms, to allow guests to experience the collection during their stay. A guidebook to the oil paintings is available in the Mohonk Gift Shop: Paintings at Mohonk: Visions of Our Surroundings by Sanford A. Levy. The hotel also offers a free self-guided tour through its ‘Hidden Histories’ app. Hidden Histories is an augmented reality (AR) experience that will immerse guests in the history of the storied resort. When viewing the artwork through the app, guests will see the walls of the Mohonk Mountain House come to life and unlock Mohonk Stories.

Featured Collection

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Raphael Weed
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The Ulster County Historical Society will host an exhibition this summer of the art and craftsmanship of the Elverhoj community in Milton, New York. Elverhoj artisans included silversmiths, painters, illustrators, jewelers, and other craftspeople that worked in this community from 1912 through the 1930’s. During my research of the painter James Scott, who was affiliated with Elverhoj, I learned about another man who was inspired by this group and by other artists working in the Newburgh, NY area. The painter Raphael Weed, who lived and worked in Milton, was also actively involved in local historical societies and art associations, and left behind a comprehensive collection of work. The research that follows helps to illustrate his strong legacy.

- Sanford Levy

New in the shop

Phrenology
Over the years I have read a lot of phrenology... even owned one of the heads once. Never saw this before, a full multipage write-up about the man in the second picture, Charles Livingston, found in a local house - very interesting write up... thought someone might want this.

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