History
Stone Quarry Hill Art Park is located on 104 acres of upstate New York farmland. It served as the home and hub for the creative vision and production for prolific artist, Dorothy Riester and is a unique cultural resource for the area.
Simply advertised as “23 acres, scenic - Cazenovia,” Dorothy and Bob purchased the original property in 1958. Situated atop a hill overlooking the hills and valleys of Cazenovia and Madison County,, the view shed encompasses sights to Oneida Lake, Cazenovia Lake, and surrounding agricultural land. Overtime they purchased more acreage that reconstructed a historic farmstead and quarry; 104 acres in total.
Hilltop House was started in 1959, and initially designed as a seasonal home. After purchasing additional acreage in 1961, the Riesters constructed an access road allowing the type of maintenance needed to live year-round in the home. The iconic A-Frame studio was built in 1962. With construction of the road and winterizing of the home in 1965, expanding the footprint of the home became possible. Dorothy designed and had constructed the second portion of the Hilltop House; the Library, in 1969-70. An extended entryway, referred to as the “Genkong” by Dorothy, built in 1970 was inspired by their travels to Japan. Around the same time, an addition to the A-Frame studio was added in the construction of the “Art Barn” in 1970, purpose built as additional studio and workshop space, and storage for the studio and farm equipment.
