You’ll Never Guess What’s Hiding In This New Yorker’s Back Yard. It’s Amazing.

Visiting a park in New York can be a real treat. Seeing some sculptures in New York is also a rewarding adventure. How about combining both? Opus 40 in Saugerties does just that. This abandoned quarry was reinvented as a sculpture garden in New York and you can visit it!

Now sitting on over 70 acres of soil, the property where this sculpture park in New York exists was originally purchased with just over six acres of land back in 1938 by Harvey Fite. Wondering, "Where is Opus 40?" You'll find it in the charming small town of Saugerties.

Harvey Fite taught sculpture and theatre at Bard College just a half hour away from his home. When he bought the plot, it came with an abandoned bluestone quarry. Harvey's original intentions were to use the stone to create other sculptures and works of art, but he soon realized that the true art lay within the quarry itself.

Inspired after spending time in Honduras restoring old ruins, Harvey began to turn the quarry into an incredible piece of art over the next 37 years with his own two hands.

Using techniques like the quarrymen who had worked on this property before him, Harvey used only hand tools to create all that you see at Opus 40 today. Pictured above, you can see the nine-ton centerpiece of this sculpture park, although this was not the original piece featured here. After creating a piece called Flame inside his studio, he realized after bringing it outside that it would be too small as a centerpiece. In 1960, Harvey found the pillar you see today in a streambed close by the property.

Twenty years after starting his work on Opus 40 and changing the park's centerpiece, he removed all other works of art off the main sculpture area and placed them around the property.

All throughout the property, you can find Harvey's remarkable works of art that are nothing short of moving. At this sculpture park in New York, you'll also find the Quarryman's Museum which Harvey created in the 1970s to showcase quarrying equipment, tools, and other interesting pieces of history.

After Harvey's death in 1976, his wife Barbara opened up Opus 40 to the public.

Doing what he loved most, Harvey passed away after falling while working on this sculpture garden in New York. Now open seasonally for the public, you can explore this fascinating park made up of ramps, passageways, and beautiful pools.

After the harsh weather brought on by Hurricanes Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012, one of the walls of Opus 40 experienced significant damage.

Over the years since the damage was done, Opus 40 has raised enough money to rebuild what was harmed. All of Harvey's techniques have been used by the workers involved and no modern machinery has been used!

We loved the variety of Opus 40.

It's not all just open space. There are a few fun tight spots to squeeze through as well.

The stairways are also pretty cool too!

Although based on that water, I wouldn't recommend heading down them!

There is also a cool museum on site.

We didn't have time to stay to watch the short film, but it's on my list for the next visit!

The wooded area was just so peaceful and inviting.

I loved how secluded it all felt.

Still in need of an excuse to come check out this magical place? Opus 40 frequently hosts entertaining and educational events.

Did you know that the Dave Matthews Band shot their official video for Satellite (true New Yorkers do I have your attention now?) here? From festivals to stone carving seminars, this sculpture garden in New York has something for everyone. Check out all the upcoming events at Opus 40.

To hear more about Opus 40 from Harvey Fite's stepson who grew up on the property and had this incredible park as his backyard, check out the video below:

Have you ever spent a day at Opus 40 in New York? We're so proud to have this amazing gem that's full of history within our beautiful state! Tell us about your experience in the comments!

There is so much to do in Saugerties! Check the VRBO accommodations and make an overnight (or two or three) out of your Opus 40 adventure!

Worked up an appetite while exploring? Check out some of these unique upstate New York restaurants.