A Guide to Visiting Opus 40: Tips and Insights

Today, I’m going to show you everything you need to know about visiting Opus 40, a stunning stone masterpiece in Saugerties, New York. This carefully built landmark took one man nearly 37 years to complete by hand, with no cement or mortar.

I’ve visited this site multiple times and watched how visitors from around the world stand in awe at this 6.5-acre bluestone wonder.

With its winding paths, terraces, and 9-ton monolith rising from the old quarry, it offers an experience unlike any other art site in America.

Let’s explore what makes Opus 40 special and how you can make the most of your visit.

What is Opus 40 and the Story Behind the Stones?

Opus 40 stands as a striking stone artwork in Saugerties, New York. Harvey Fite, a teacher at Bard College, built this massive structure between 1939 and 1976.

What began as a display space for his wood and stone artwork grew into something much more significant. Fite bought the old bluestone quarry in 1938, planning to use it for his sculptures.

After working to restore Mayan ruins in Honduras, he learned stone fitting methods that he brought back to New York. He worked each summer laying stones by hand without using any mortar or cement.

Best Time to Visit

Opus 40 welcomes guests from May through October, each Thursday through Sunday. The site opens at 11 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. Holiday Mondays often feature special opening hours.

Spring visits offer blooming trees and mild weather for walking the stone paths. Summer brings concert events and the best lighting for photos. Fall delivers beautiful color from surrounding trees that frame the bluestone artwork against orange and red leaves.

The outdoor nature of Opus 40 means the weather affects your visit. Sunny days highlight the stone colors and textures. Light rain can make stones slippery, so wear proper shoes. The site may close during heavy storms for safety.

Exploring Opus 40: What to Expect

When you arrive at Opus 40, the sheer scale of this hand-built wonder comes into view. The stone maze stretches across the quarry, filled with paths that invite you to wander and discover hidden spaces.

Key Features of the Sculpture

The heart of Opus 40 lies in its careful stonework. Each stone fits against the others without any glue or cement.
Fite used an old method called “dry keying,” where stones lock together through careful placement.
The stone ramps rise and fall through the landscape, creating a flowing path that leads visitors through the artwork.
The centerpiece stands tall—a massive 9.5-ton bluestone monolith.
Fite found this stone in a streambed and moved it to the quarry in 1964, placing it at the highest point of his creation.
From this peak, the stonework spreads outward in circles.
Deep passages run beneath parts of the structure, going as far as 16 feet underground.
These cool stone tunnels offer a stark contrast to the open areas above.
Walking through them gives you a sense of how the quarry once looked.

The Quarryman’s Museum

After exploring the main sculpture, visit the Quarryman’s Museum that Fite built in the early 1970s. This small building houses tools and equipment once used by local quarry workers.

The museum walls display hammers, chisels, and drills arranged in careful patterns. These simple hand tools shaped all the stones at Opus 40. Outside, a boom with a hand-powered winch moves heavy rocks—the same type of Fite used in his work.

This collection honors the skilled workers who once cut bluestone from the Hudson Valley quarries. During the 1800s and early 1900s, their stone was shipped to New York City to build sidewalks and buildings.

Scenic Views & Photography Spots

The location offers more than just the stonework. From various points in Opus 40, you can see the Catskill Mountains rising in the distance. These views change with the seasons, from spring green to fall colors.

Photographers find endless shots at different times of the day. Morning light casts long shadows across the stone surfaces. Midday brings full detail to the stones. The late afternoon sun warms the bluestone to rich colors that glow against the sky.

For the most magical experience, plan your visit for late afternoon. As the sun begins to set, the light turns golden and plays across the stone surfaces, highlighting the texture and form of Fite’s masterwork.

How Opus 40 Became the World’s Greatest Sculptural Wonders?

Harvey Fite began his career far from sculpture. He first studied to join the ministry at St. Stephen’s College (now Bard College). His path changed when he worked at the Maverick Theater in Woodstock, where he discovered his love for making things by hand.

While teaching sculpture at Bard College, Fite bought the old quarry in 1938. He planned to use the space to show off his stone figures. His time restoring ancient Mayan sites in Honduras changed his approach to working with stone.

There, he learned how to fit stones without mortar, a skill he brought back to his quarry.

Fite worked solo on the project using only basic hand tools—hammers, chisels, and crowbars. He moved stones using logs and chains, just as quarry workers had done before him. Every summer, when free from teaching, he added to his growing stone layout.

The turning point came when Fite placed a large stone as the centerpiece. After twenty years of building, he noticed that the setting had become more interesting than the sculptures it was meant to display.

His method involved placing each stone against others so they held together without cement. The work grew to include steps, ramps, pools, and hidden passages.

Fite named it “Opus 40,” thinking it would take forty years to finish.

Workshops & Educational Programs

Learn the same stone skills that built Opus 40 through hands-on workshops—the site partners with The Stone Trust to offer dry-stone walling classes taught by skilled builders.

These sessions teach you how to place stones so they stay in place without mortar—the same method Fite used.

Guided tours share the history and building methods behind the artwork. Expert guides point out details you might miss on your own, explaining how certain sections were built and what they mean. These tours help you see the site through Fite’s eyes.

The peaceful setting makes Opus 40 perfect for wellness activities. Morning yoga sessions take place on the stone platforms, where the fresh air and mountain views add to the practice. These classes welcome all skill levels and offer a unique way to connect with the space.

Final Thoughts

As you’ve seen, Opus 40 stands as more than just stones—it’s one man’s lifelong passion transformed into art that anyone can enjoy. This peaceful spot in the Hudson Valley offers a rare chance to see what patience and vision can create.

Whether you come for the stone artistry, the mountain views, a concert, or simply a quiet afternoon, Opus 40 leaves a lasting impression. Each visit reveals new details in this hand-built landscape.

Ready to experience it yourself? Pack comfortable shoes, bring your camera, and set aside time to explore truly. The stone paths await, ready to lead you through this hidden treasure in Saugerties.

What part of Opus 40 are you most excited to see? Leave a comment below!