Olson House (Cushing, Maine) facts for kids
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Olson House
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Olson House in 2018
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Hathorne Point Road, Cushing, Maine |
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| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001114 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 31, 1995 |
| Designated NHL | June 23, 2011 |
The Olson House is a special old farmhouse in Cushing, Maine. It has 14 rooms and is built in the Colonial style. This house became very famous because it was painted by the well-known American artist Andrew Wyeth. His most famous painting featuring the house is called Christina's World. Wyeth painted the house and the people who lived there, Christina and Alvaro Olson, many times between 1939 and 1968. Because of its importance, the Olson House was named a National Historic Landmark in 2011. Today, the Farnsworth Art Museum owns the house, and you can visit it!
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The Olson House: A Historic Home
The Olson House, also known as the Hathorn-Olson House, was first built in the late 1700s. Captain Samuel Hathorn II started building it around 1750. In 1871, Captain Samuel Hathorn IV made big changes to the house. He added more bedrooms on the third floor. He also built a new roof that was very steep.
In 1929, Christina Olson and Alvaro Olson inherited the house. They received it from their mother, Katie Hathorn. She was a descendant of the original Captain Hathorn family.
Andrew Wyeth's Artistic Connection
Between 1939 and 1968, the famous American artist Andrew Wyeth painted the Olson House many times. He also made many sketches of it. His most famous painting from this time is Christina's World, created in 1948.
Wyeth was inspired to paint Christina's World by Christina Olson. She had a condition that made her lose the use of her legs. At the time, doctors did not know what caused it. We now know it was Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease.
Wyeth became good friends with Christina and Alvaro Olson. He even had a studio inside their house. Wyeth later said he "just couldn't stay away" from the house. He felt drawn back to it, even when painting other things. Christina and Alvaro Olson lived in the house until they passed away in 1968 and 1967. They are buried in the Olson family cemetery on the property. Andrew Wyeth is also buried there.
The House in Recent Years
After Christina Olson passed away, a movie director named Joseph E. Levine bought the house in 1968. He really admired Wyeth's artwork. Levine opened the house as a museum for two years, starting in 1971. However, some local people did not like the museum.
In 1974, Levine said he would give the house to the State of Maine. But he changed his mind in 1975. He was worried the state did not have enough money to take care of the property. Later, Apple Inc. CEO John Sculley bought the house. He put it up for sale in 1989. In 1991, Sculley generously donated the house to the Farnsworth Art Museum.
The Olson House is still owned by the Farnsworth Art Museum today. They keep it open for people to visit. Christopher Brownawell, who leads the Farnsworth Museum, said the house has become "one of the most recognized images in American art."
Recognized as a Historic Place
The Olson House is very important to American history and art. Because of this, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It was given an even higher honor in 2011. That year, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
See also
