The Grounds at Thomas Cole National Historic Site

Several family members found immense pleasure in spending time on these grounds. Evidenced by journal entries and letters, we know that Maria Cole’s uncle, John Alexander Thompson, loved to take care of the plants and trees on site, and that her sister, Harriet, held domain over the flower beds. Thomas and Maria’s daughter Emily Cole was also a keen observer of nature and her extensive painted botanicals on paper and porcelain remain in our collections. Though Cole was not a gardener himself, he collected plant samples and brought seeds back with him from his travels.

200-Year Old Tree

The large tree with sharp thorns is the very same one that Cole saw each day. It is the only one to remain from the original twelve honey-locust trees planted in 1817. When you enter the house, look for a small painting from 1868 that shows this same tree