It with immense appreciation for a life well lived, passions energetically explored and a professional career that completed the treatment of countless works of art, set numerous standards and resulted in the training of many others in his field, that we inform of the passing of Charles Hilden Olin on March 28, 2023.
Charles was born to a West point Graduate and his wife on the Old Post in Niagara Falls. He spent his youth developing a deep passion for astronomy, participating in the country’s efforts to support our forces during World War II (let nothing go to waste), and continuing his early education across numerous locals as his parents met the needs of their active Military commitments prior to and during the War. After the War, Charles embarked via his favorite means of travel – The ocean liner, traveling to and from Hawaii and Europe with his parents, living two years in London where he began to draw and paint. During these travels, he met lifelong friends, and began to hone his skills in detailed observation.
Charles completed his undergraduate education with a B.S. in physics at Dickinson College (Kappa Signa). At Dickinson, he met his future wife Jacqueline. They were married in 1955. Following Dickinson, Charles was directly commissioned into the United States Marine Corps as a second Lieutenant. Four years in the Corps saw Charles studying advanced weaponry systems, becoming a Guided Missiles Officer, leading tank maneuvers through the desert in twenty-nine palms and then serving in the Honor Guard at 8th and I Marine Barracks. Charles resigned from the United States Marine Corps as a Captain.
Out of the Corps, Charles focused on the study of fine art. Under a fellowship, he first studied Fine Arts at Cornell University where he was introduced to the importance of the materials used by the older masters, such as Reubens, including the Maroger medium. After Cornell, with a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, Charles moved to New York to study art conservation at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. He was among the few Candidates to complete the first program in art conservation in the US, at the Institute. His studies, again, included the importance of artist materials, and refining means of scientifically identifying these materials, and differentiating these materials from those added by later restorers. He was also keen to learn and expand the means of analysis required to bring these understandings to a more accurate and objective level. From the beginning of his entry into the field of conservation, Charles understood the importance of keen observation and objective attention to detail.
Upon graduating from NYU, Charles was left for the Smithsonian Institution where he eventually established and developed multiple Conservation Programs at the Institution. At the Smithsonian, Charles was the founder of numerous Conservation laboratories – He was founder of the U.S. National Museum’s Conservation Analytical Laboratory (now the Museum Conservation Institute), The National Collection of Fine Arts Conservation Lab (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum Lunder Center) and the Conservation Lab at the National Portrait Gallery. During his time at the Smithsonian, Charles was responsible for conserving exhibits for two major Museum openings as well as establishing analytical processes and developing programs for the training of future Conservators. He was also among the founding members, and a Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation.
Charles resigned from the Smithsonian in 1971 to establish a private painting conservation studio in Great Falls, VA. By 1983, his practice had grown and become incorporated as Olin Conservation, Inc. Charles’ company served a variety of private, institutional and museum clients across the country. During his work in the private sector, Charles continued to train conservators, including a number of well-respected Conservators in the field today. One of these is his son David Olin, who continues the efforts of Olin Conservation, Inc.
Charles was a common lecturer on art conservation, art forgery and art connoisseurship. He was responsible for the conservation of quite a number of well-known collections and paintings.
Charles always considered his efforts in conservation as a “profession”, rather than a “business”. The key to this professional approach was observation, understanding, objectivity and attention to detail. These qualities were also at play in his lifelong passions. The study of science and specifically physics and astronomy were omni-present in every aspects of Charles’ life. He was an avid gardener, amateur naturalist and enjoyed the edible bounties of natural plants. Charles was also a dedicated bow hunter, and trapper. His love of classical music and opera was well known. Charles was part of numerous championship teams with the Washington Area Dart Association and spent a good bit of time making wine from grapes grown at local vineyards. He enjoyed cooking. Charles was also an accomplished sailor including blue water adventures in his beloved Hinkley Pilot 35, Betelgeux.
Once settled in Great Falls, VA Charles joined the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department and became an EMT. He was also the founding president of the Analemma Society. The Analemma Society operates exclusively for educational and scientific purposes. Under Charles’ momentous development and guidance their goal continues to this day: Seeking to develop awareness, appreciation, and understanding of science through astronomy for children and adults, develop programs of observation, measurement, calculation, and interpretation of astronomy within local educational institutions and work to further develop existing educational programs, to design and erect means of detecting the motions of the Earth, Moon, planets and stars in Observatory Park, Turner Farm, part of the Fairfax County Park Authority, and develop a heightened degree of awareness of the motions of these celestial bodies in the solar system.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Col. Charles Lind Olin and Jeannette Armitage Olin. Survivors include his wife Jacqueline S. Olin, his daughter Deborah Norris, son David Olin, granddaughters Jessie Taylor and Jacque Hernandez, grandson Jon Norris, great-granddaughters Avery and Livia Taylor and great-grandson Monte Taylor.
A Memorial Service for Charles will be held by his family in conjunction with the Analemma Society on May 21, 2023 at 1400 hrs. The Memorial will be held at Observatory Park, Fairfax County, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Analemma Society. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery as some future point.
