For the first time since the establishment of the Hudson River School of Art more than two centuries ago, THE LETTERS OF THOMAS COLE, Founder of the Hudson River School will attempt to put in one place the "back and forth" correspondence of its founder Thomas Cole (1801–1848) with patrons, family, colleagues, and friends.

This series of books by Hudson Valley historian Sylvia Hasenkopf will provide a greater understanding of the man as we explore his passions, his insecurities, and his successes through his correspondence. The books will provide a greater insight into Cole's creative process over his lifespan as an artist; a process that resulted in some of America's most iconic landscape paintings, and in 1825 launched America's first art movement. The goal of this ambitious project is to deepen the understanding of Thomas Cole, the man and the artist, his passion for painting and his life's work—the masterpieces he created.

For generations to come, THE LETTERS OF THOMAS COLE will remain a valuable and permanent contribution to the art world as it will bring together letters previously held in numerous archives spanning four states and two continents. A work of this nature has never been attempted. With your financial support, we can preserve a previously undocumented legacy of one of the most important American artists of all time. The time to bring to light the correspondence of Thomas Cole is now.