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Weir Farm National Historical Park

January 29, 2023

Weir Farm National Historical Park is located in Ridgefield and Wilton, Connecticut. It commemorates the life and work of American impressionist painter J. Alden Weir and other artists who stayed at the site or lived there, to include Childe Hassam, Albert Pinkham Ryder, John Singer Sargent, and John Twachtman.

Weir Farm National Historical Park
Location735 Nod Hill Road
Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States
Nearest cityWilton, CT
Coordinates41°15′29″N 73°27′17″W / 41.25806°N 73.45472°W / 41.25806; -73.45472Coordinates: 41°15′29″N 73°27′17″W / 41.25806°N 73.45472°W / 41.25806; -73.45472
Area60 acres (24 ha)[1]
Established1990
Visitors34,802 (in 2014)
Governing bodyNational Park Service
WebsiteWeir Farm National Historical Park
J. Alden Weir's studio at Weir Farm

Weir Farm is one of two sites in the National Park Service devoted to the visual arts, along with Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park.[2]

Both sites maintain ongoing artist-in-residence programs; to date, the Weir Farm Art Center (formerly the Weir Farm Trust) has hosted more than 150 artists for month long stays at the site.[3] Weir Farm also runs an ongoing "Take Part in Art" program, under which visitors can create their own works on site.[4]

Weir Farm was recognized on the 52nd quarter in 2020 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.[5]

History

 
The main house

After considering the Keene Valley area of New York's Adirondack Mountains for a rural retreat,[6] in 1882 Weir settled instead on hilly countryside in the Branchville section of Ridgefield, acquiring a 153-acre farm there from Erwin Davis in exchange for $10 and a painting.[7] Weir and artists he hosted subsequently produced a large number of paintings depicting Ridgefield landscapes and other nearby countryside.[8]

Weir's daughter Dorothy Weir, a noted artist in her own right, took over management of the property following her father's death in 1919. Sculptor Mahonri Young would build a second studio at Weir Farm after the couple married in 1931.[9]

Artist Sperry Andrews would befriend Mahonri Young and spent several years keeping him company while painting the site. After Mahonris death Sperry would purchase the property and his wife Doris Andrews lead efforts with Cora Weir Burlingham to preserve the Weir Farm site, resulting in the U.S. government designating it a National Historic Site in 1990.[10] Prior to its permanent protection, Weir Farm had been subdivided for housing development in the late 1980s.[11] The Trust for Public Land worked to reacquire the divided land through close to 2 dozen transactions.[11] The Trust for Public Land worked in partnership with the Weir Farm Trust and the State of Connecticut to advocate for its permanent protection.[11] Sperry and his wife Doris Andrews were given life tenancy, and would give impromptu tours of the studios to park visitors until after both had passed.[12]

Afterwards the site underwent extensive restoration to transform the park into a more visitor friendly experience. The two artist studios and house were restored to period, and in May 2014 were made accessible to the public again.[13]

The property today includes 16 buildings on 60 acres of land[1] with the grounds including a hiking trail. Tours are offered by National Park Service rangers.[14]

In 2007, the U.S. Department of the Interior sought Congressional approval for the National Park Service to acquire space in nearby Redding, Connecticut, for administration and operational support to Weir Farm. Under existing federal law at the time, the National Park Service was authorized to secure expansion space in Ridgefield and Wilton only.[15]

In 2021 it was redesignated from a National Historic Site to a National Historical Park.[16]

Notable residents and visitors

 
Map of the grounds

See also

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.nps.gov/wefa/historyculture/index.htm "Weir Farm National Historic Site Connecticut: History and Culture," Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  2. ^ Wilton, Mailing Address: 735 Nod Hill Road; Us, CT 06897 Phone: 203 834-1896 x0 Contact. "History & Culture - Weir Farm National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  3. ^ http://www.nps.gov/wefa/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence-program.htm "Artist-in-Residence program," National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  4. ^ Wilton, Mailing Address: 735 Nod Hill Road; Us, CT 06897 Phone: 203 834-1896 x0 Contact. "Art in the Park - Weir Farm National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  5. ^ http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/atb/"America the Beautiful Quarters Program," U.S. Mint. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
  6. ^ Wilton, Mailing Address: 735 Nod Hill Road; Us, CT 06897 Phone: 203 834-1896 x0 Contact. "Stories - Weir Farm National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  7. ^ Wilton, Mailing Address: 735 Nod Hill Road; Us, CT 06897 Phone: 203 834-1896 x0 Contact. "Julian Alden Weir - Weir Farm National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  8. ^ http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/wefa/clr.pdf "Cultural Landscape Program for Weir Farm National Historic Site," Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
  9. ^ Wilton, Mailing Address: 735 Nod Hill Road; Us, CT 06897 Phone: 203 834-1896 x0 Contact. "Dorothy Weir Young - Weir Farm National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  10. ^ Potts, Monica (2005-08-16). "Sperry Andrews, 87, Painter Who Preserved Weir Home, Is Dead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  11. ^ a b c "Weir Farm National Historic Site". The Trust for Public Land. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  12. ^ "Sperry Andrews". National Park Service Website. 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
  13. ^ "Restoration". National Park Service Website. 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
  14. ^ http://www.nps.gov/wefa/photosmultimedia/historic-artwork.htm "Artwork Galleries," National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
  15. ^ "Parks Bills: H.R. 1836". www.doi.gov. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  16. ^ Himes, James A. (2021-01-05). "Text - H.R.5852 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Weir Farm National Historical Park Redesignation Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  17. ^ http://www.nps.gov/wefa/historyculture/upload/Family-and-Friends.pdf "Letter No. 3," Weir National Historic Site Connecticut: Family and Friends," National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
  18. ^ http://www.nps.gov/wefa/photosmultimedia/historic-artwork.htm "Weir Farm National Historic Site Connecticut: Artwork Galleries," National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-05-03.

External links

  •   Media related to Weir Farm National Historical Park at Wikimedia Commons
  • Weir Farm National Historical Park
  • Weir Farm:Home of an American Impressionist, a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan

January 29, 2023
weir, farm, national, historical, park, located, ridgefield, wilton, connecticut, commemorates, life, work, american, impressionist, painter, alden, weir, other, artists, stayed, site, lived, there, include, childe, hassam, albert, pinkham, ryder, john, singer. Weir Farm National Historical Park is located in Ridgefield and Wilton Connecticut It commemorates the life and work of American impressionist painter J Alden Weir and other artists who stayed at the site or lived there to include Childe Hassam Albert Pinkham Ryder John Singer Sargent and John Twachtman Weir Farm National Historical ParkIUCN category III natural monument or feature Show map of ConnecticutShow map of the United StatesLocation735 Nod Hill RoadFairfield County Connecticut United StatesNearest cityWilton CTCoordinates41 15 29 N 73 27 17 W 41 25806 N 73 45472 W 41 25806 73 45472 Coordinates 41 15 29 N 73 27 17 W 41 25806 N 73 45472 W 41 25806 73 45472Area60 acres 24 ha 1 Established1990Visitors34 802 in 2014 Governing bodyNational Park ServiceWebsiteWeir Farm National Historical Park J Alden Weir s studio at Weir Farm Weir Farm is one of two sites in the National Park Service devoted to the visual arts along with Saint Gaudens National Historical Park 2 Both sites maintain ongoing artist in residence programs to date the Weir Farm Art Center formerly the Weir Farm Trust has hosted more than 150 artists for month long stays at the site 3 Weir Farm also runs an ongoing Take Part in Art program under which visitors can create their own works on site 4 Weir Farm was recognized on the 52nd quarter in 2020 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program 5 Contents 1 History 2 Notable residents and visitors 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory Edit The main house After considering the Keene Valley area of New York s Adirondack Mountains for a rural retreat 6 in 1882 Weir settled instead on hilly countryside in the Branchville section of Ridgefield acquiring a 153 acre farm there from Erwin Davis in exchange for 10 and a painting 7 Weir and artists he hosted subsequently produced a large number of paintings depicting Ridgefield landscapes and other nearby countryside 8 Weir s daughter Dorothy Weir a noted artist in her own right took over management of the property following her father s death in 1919 Sculptor Mahonri Young would build a second studio at Weir Farm after the couple married in 1931 9 Artist Sperry Andrews would befriend Mahonri Young and spent several years keeping him company while painting the site After Mahonris death Sperry would purchase the property and his wife Doris Andrews lead efforts with Cora Weir Burlingham to preserve the Weir Farm site resulting in the U S government designating it a National Historic Site in 1990 10 Prior to its permanent protection Weir Farm had been subdivided for housing development in the late 1980s 11 The Trust for Public Land worked to reacquire the divided land through close to 2 dozen transactions 11 The Trust for Public Land worked in partnership with the Weir Farm Trust and the State of Connecticut to advocate for its permanent protection 11 Sperry and his wife Doris Andrews were given life tenancy and would give impromptu tours of the studios to park visitors until after both had passed 12 Afterwards the site underwent extensive restoration to transform the park into a more visitor friendly experience The two artist studios and house were restored to period and in May 2014 were made accessible to the public again 13 The property today includes 16 buildings on 60 acres of land 1 with the grounds including a hiking trail Tours are offered by National Park Service rangers 14 In 2007 the U S Department of the Interior sought Congressional approval for the National Park Service to acquire space in nearby Redding Connecticut for administration and operational support to Weir Farm Under existing federal law at the time the National Park Service was authorized to secure expansion space in Ridgefield and Wilton only 15 In 2021 it was redesignated from a National Historic Site to a National Historical Park 16 Notable residents and visitors EditWilfrid de Glehn 17 J Alden Weir Dorothy Weir John Ferguson Weir Mahonri Young 18 Childe Hassam Albert Pinkham Ryder John Singer Sargent John Twachtman Map of the groundsSee also EditNational Register of Historic Places listings in Fairfield County Connecticut Historic Artists Homes and StudiosReferences Edit a b http www nps gov wefa historyculture index htm Weir Farm National Historic Site Connecticut History and Culture Retrieved 2014 05 03 Wilton Mailing Address 735 Nod Hill Road Us CT 06897 Phone 203 834 1896 x0 Contact History amp Culture Weir Farm National Historical Park U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2022 08 12 http www nps gov wefa supportyourpark artist in residence program htm Artist in Residence program National Park Service Retrieved 2014 05 03 Wilton Mailing Address 735 Nod Hill Road Us CT 06897 Phone 203 834 1896 x0 Contact Art in the Park Weir Farm National Historical Park U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2022 08 12 http www usmint gov mint programs atb America the Beautiful Quarters Program U S Mint Retrieved 2014 05 02 Wilton Mailing Address 735 Nod Hill Road Us CT 06897 Phone 203 834 1896 x0 Contact Stories Weir Farm National Historical Park U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2022 08 12 Wilton Mailing Address 735 Nod Hill Road Us CT 06897 Phone 203 834 1896 x0 Contact Julian Alden Weir Weir Farm National Historical Park U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2022 08 12 http www nps gov history history online books wefa clr pdf Cultural Landscape Program for Weir Farm National Historic Site Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation National Park Service Retrieved 2014 05 02 Wilton Mailing Address 735 Nod Hill Road Us CT 06897 Phone 203 834 1896 x0 Contact Dorothy Weir Young Weir Farm National Historical Park U S National Park Service www nps gov Retrieved 2022 08 12 Potts Monica 2005 08 16 Sperry Andrews 87 Painter Who Preserved Weir Home Is Dead The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2022 08 12 a b c Weir Farm National Historic Site The Trust for Public Land Retrieved 2018 08 10 Sperry Andrews National Park Service Website 2017 07 18 Retrieved 2017 07 18 Restoration National Park Service Website 2017 07 18 Retrieved 2017 07 18 http www nps gov wefa photosmultimedia historic artwork htm Artwork Galleries National Park Service Retrieved 2014 05 02 Parks Bills H R 1836 www doi gov 2015 07 01 Retrieved 2022 08 12 Himes James A 2021 01 05 Text H R 5852 116th Congress 2019 2020 Weir Farm National Historical Park Redesignation Act www congress gov Retrieved 2021 01 15 http www nps gov wefa historyculture upload Family and Friends pdf Letter No 3 Weir National Historic Site Connecticut Family and Friends National Park Service Retrieved 2014 05 02 http www nps gov wefa photosmultimedia historic artwork htm Weir Farm National Historic Site Connecticut Artwork Galleries National Park Service Retrieved 2014 05 03 External links Edit Media related to Weir Farm National Historical Park at Wikimedia Commons Weir Farm National Historical Park Weir Farm Home of an American Impressionist a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places TwHP lesson plan Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Weir Farm National Historical Park amp oldid 1129585585, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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