Brunel, Emile, Studio and Sculpture Garden
Also known as: Totem Indian Trading Post; Brunel Park
Why it's listed
Beside Route 28 in Boiceville stands a small remnant of a once-larger Catskills resort called Chalet Indien, created by French-born photographer and artist Emile Brunel. The 1.28-acre parcel holds his 1929 studio, a two-story stucco building with a flared gable roof and carved relief panels showing a Native American village scene and portraits of Brunel and his wife. Nearby are three huge concrete sculptures, including a thirty-foot chief and a tree-trunk monument holding Brunel's ashes, as well as two totem poles and smaller figures. The works were moved to the present site in 1947 when the state rebuilt the highway through the original grounds. The property is valued as regional folk art and as a surviving example of roadside attractions built to catch the eye of motorists. Its studio, inspired by Craftsman and French country design, adds architectural significance. The site remains largely intact from 1947, though the garden has deteriorated.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as an unusual regional collection of early twentieth-century folk art and a rare surviving example of roadside art and architecture in the upper Hudson valley. It is tied to the automobile age and the growth of roadside tourism. The French-country-influenced, Craftsman-inspired studio adds architectural interest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99000909, listed August 10, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 28, Boiceville |
|---|---|
| County | Ulster County |
| Listed | August 10, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000909 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1929-1947 |
| Architect / builder | Brunel, Emile |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements: Arts and Crafts |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Art, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The commercial venture has been closed for many years and the garden has fallen into disrepair, but the site remains virtually intact from 1947. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.99699, -74.26402 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99000909.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1337158
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.