[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] courtesy Thomas Cole Historic Site[/caption]

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the Thomas Cole National Historic Site has unveiled plans to restore one of the painter’s original studios. The “New Studio,” as it is called, was constructed according to Cole’s own designs in 1846, but torn down in 1973 after falling into disrepair. When completed, the New Studio will provide a year-round, state-of-the-art gallery for exhibitions, lectures and special events. “Every time we do something new, it expands our visitorship,” said Vice Chairman Hudson Talbott at a Village of Catskill Planning Board meeting, Mon., Sept. 17. The site currently draws 10,000 visitors per year, he said. The planning board enthusiastically supported the plans, but concerns were raised over increased vehicle traffic on Hudson Ave. Village of Catskill President Vincent Seeley said the village would be more than willing to make whatever road improvements are necessary. The New Studio opening is projected to occur in 2015. Note: Talbott is a member of the WGXC Radio Council. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.