To establish the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the State of New York and the Thomas Cole Advisory Commission.

Establishes the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, New York. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation land, improvements thereon, and associated personal property within such Site.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the State of New York and other public and private entities to further the purposes of this Act.

Requires the Secretary, in consultation with a group of historians, scholars, and other experts, to report to specified House and Senate committees on issues related to such Site and other historic sites in the Hudson River Valley no later than two years after enactment of this Act.

Establishes the Thomas Cole Advisory Commission to advise the Secretary on the management and development of the Site.

Requires the Secretary, within five years, to submit to specified House and Senate committees a general management plan for the preservation and use of the Site and other historic sites in the Hudson River Valley.

Authorizes appropriations.

 
HR 379 IH
101st CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 379
To establish the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the State of New York
and the Thomas Cole Advisory Commission.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 1989
Mr. SOLOMON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Interior and Insular Affairs
A BILL
To establish the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the State of New York
and the Thomas Cole Advisory Commission.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. PURPOSE.
  The purpose of this Act is to preserve and interpret, for the benefit,
  inspiration, and education of the American people, the unique American
  artistic tradition known as the Hudson River School, which was founded by
  Thomas Cole and characterized by a group of nineteenth century landscape
  artists who attempted to record the landscape and wilderness of the Hudson
  River Valley in the State of New York.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
  In order to carry out the purpose of this Act, as described in section 1,
  there is established the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill,
  New York.
SEC. 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE HISTORIC SITE.
  The Site referred to in section 2 is the home and studio of Thomas Cole and
  shall consist of the 3.4 acre site and improvements thereon located at 218
  Spring Street, City of Catskill, State of New York, as generally depicted on
  the map entitled `Thomas Cole National Historic Site Boundary Map', numbered
  , and dated           . The map shall be on file and available for public
  inspection at appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
SEC. 4. ACQUISITION OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
  (a) REAL PROPERTY- The Secretary may acquire, by donation only, the land
  and improvements described in section 2.
  (b) PERSONAL PROPERTY- The Secretary may acquire, for purposes of the Site,
  paintings, historic objects and artifacts, and other personal property
  associated with Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School by donation or
  purchase with donated or appropriated funds.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF SITE.
  (a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall administer the Site in accordance with--
  (1) the provisions of this Act; and
  (2) the provisions of law generally applicable to national historic sites,
  including the Acts entitled--
  (A) `An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes',
  approved August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 and following); and
  (B) `An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites,
  buildings, objects and antiquities of national historic significance, and
  for other purposes', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 and following,
  popularly known as the `Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act').
  (b) PRESERVATION AND INTERPRETATION OF SITE- In administering the Site,
  the Secretary shall--
  (1) preserve and interpret the home and studio of Thomas Cole, as described
  in section 3, as a national historic site;
  (2) preserve and perpetuate knowledge and understanding, and provide for
  public understanding and enjoyment, of life and work of Thomas Cole and
  the Hudson River School;
  (3) provide assistance to public and private entities in the interpretation
  of the Hudson River artists, their houses and studios, and the vistas
  throughout the Hudson River Valley region; and
  (4) encourage an appreciation of the scenic and artistic tradition inspired
  by the Hudson River artists.
  (c) COOPERATION WITH STATE OF NEW YORK AND OTHER ENTITIES- The Secretary
  may enter into cooperative agreements with the State of New York and other
  public and private entities to further the purposes of this Act.
  (d) REPORT- As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this
  Act, the Secretary shall convene a distinguished group of nationally
  recognized historians, scholars, and other experts to examine and gather
  historical information on the Hudson River Valley artists, their houses
  and studios, and the vistas within the Hudson River Valley region. The
  Secretary shall prepare a report in consultation with the group concerning
  the interpretation, preservation, and tourism of, and other issues related
  to, the Site and other sites in the Hudson River Valley region of related
  historical significance. This report shall be submitted to the Committee on
  Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives
  and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States
  Senate not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act.
  (e) DONATIONS- The Secretary may accept and use donated funds, property,
  and services to carry out the purposes of this Act.
SEC. 6. ADVISORY COMMISSION.
  (a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established the Thomas Cole Advisory
  Commission. The Commission shall advise the Secretary on the management
  and development of the Site.
  (b) MEMBERSHIP-
  (1) IN GENERAL- The Commission shall consist of 13 members appointed by
  the Secretary as follows:
  (A) Four members who are nationally recognized scholars with expertise in
  the study of Thomas Cole, the Hudson River School, or both.
  (B) Four members who are members of the Thomas Cole Foundation.
  (C) Five members, from a list of not less than ten individuals recommended
  by the Governor of the State of New York, who represent nonprofit historic
  and scenic preservation institutions located within the Hudson River
  Valley region.
  (2) TERMS- The Commission members shall be appointed for staggered terms
  of not more than 3 years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner in
  which the original appointment was made. Any member may serve after the
  expiration of the term of that member until a successor is appointed.
  (3) OFFICERS- The chair and other officers of the Commission shall be
  elected by a majority of the members.
  (c) MEETINGS- The Commission shall hold meetings open to the public and
  shall meet at the call of the Chair or a majority of its members, but not
  less than twice annually. Notice of meetings and agenda shall be published
  in local newspapers which have a distribution which generally covers areas
  within the Hudson River Valley region. Commission meetings shall be held
  at locations and in such a manner as to ensure adequate public involvement.
  (d) BYLAWS- The Commission may make such bylaws, rules, and regulations as
  it considers necessary to carry out its functions under this Act consistent
  with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of October 6, 1972 (86 Stat. 776;
  5 U.S.C. Appendix).
  (e) EXPENSES- The Secretary may reimburse Commission members, in accordance
  with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for expenses incurred
  by them in carrying out their responsibilities under this Act.
  (f) TERMINATION- The Commission shall cease to exist 10 years after the
  date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
  (a) IN GENERAL- Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this
  Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committee on Interior
  and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and the
  Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate a
  general management plan for the preservation, interpretation, use, and
  development of the Site and other sites in the Hudson River Valley region
  of related historical significance.
  (b) PLAN REQUIREMENTS- The management plan required by subsection (a) shall--
  (1) be based on the report prepared pursuant to section 5(d);
  (2) be prepared in accordance with section 12(b) of the Act entitled
  `An Act to improve the administration of the national park system, and to
  clarify the authorities applicable to the system, and for other purposes',
  approved August 18, 1970 (16 U.S.C. 1a-7(b)); and
  (3) include recommendations and cost estimates for the interpretation and
  preservation of properties and landscapes associated with the Hudson River
  School and located throughout the Hudson River Valley region, identified
  through cooperative agreements and other means deemed appropriate, feasible,
  and practicable.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
  As used in this Act, the term--
  (1) `Commission' means the Thomas Cole Advisory Commission created by
  section 6(a);
  (2) `Hudson River Valley region' means the counties of Albany, Columbia,
  Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester in
  the State of New York;
  (3) `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior; and
  (4) `Site' means the Thomas Cole National Historic Site created by section 2.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to
  carry out this Act.