Opus 40
Why it's listed
Opus 40 is a monumental stone sculpture in Saugerties, New York, built inside a bluestone quarry that had been abandoned since the early twentieth century. Sculptor Harvey Fite bought the quarry in 1938 and began clearing rubble the following spring, first intending to make pedestals for his smaller carvings. Over thirty-seven years the project grew into a landscape of ramps, terraces, steps and pools, rising more than two stories. Fite used the ancient dry-keying technique, fitting millions of quarry stones together without mortar so that the surface looks carved from a single block. A nine-ton monolith, raised using methods drawn from ancient Egyptian obelisk building, marks the center. Fite died in a fall at the site in 1976, leaving part of a wall unfinished. The property was listed as an important example of environmental art and for its association with Fite. Three of his smaller sculptures on the grounds also contribute to its significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Opus 40 is an exceptional and unusual example of large-scale environmental art in New York State. Its significance rests on its craftsmanship, massive scale, organic form and dramatic setting, and on its link to its creator, the sculptor Harvey Fite. Fite built it from millions of dry-fitted stones and worked on it until his death in 1976.
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 01000238, listed March 12, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Fite Rd., Saugerties |
|---|---|
| County | Ulster County |
| Listed | March 12, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000238 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1939-1976 |
| Architect / builder | Fite, Harvey |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as a work of art (recreation and culture). The quarry was abandoned before Fite began work, and an unfinished wall and piles of bluestone remain. |
| Acreage | 14.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.05124, -74.03232 (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 01000238.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7099105
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.