John Rogers Studio facts for kids
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John Rogers Studio
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John Rogers Studio
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1878 |
| Architect | Peabody & Stearns |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000881 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
The John Rogers Studio and Museum is a special place in New Canaan, Connecticut. It was once the workshop of a famous sculptor named John Rogers. People called him "the people's sculptor" because his art was very popular in the late 1800s.
Today, the studio is part of the New Canaan Historical Society. You can visit it to see many of Rogers's famous sculptures. The museum has been set up to look like his actual studio.
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What are Rogers Groups?
John Rogers was known for his "Rogers Groups." These were plaster statues that usually showed two or more people. They often told a story or showed a moment from everyday life. These sculptures were very popular because they felt real and often showed sweet or touching scenes.
The museum has one of the best collections of these "Rogers Groups" in the entire country. They are a great way to see what life was like in the 1800s.
The Studio Building
The studio building itself was built in 1878. It has a pointed roof and a style called Gothic-Victorian. This style was popular during the Victorian era.
John Rogers became famous because his sculptures showed everyday scenes. They had a warm, emotional feeling, much like the later paintings by Norman Rockwell. Instead of using expensive bronze or marble, Rogers worked with plaster. He painted his sculptures a putty color to help hide dust.
Rogers's Popular Art
John Rogers made a lot of sculptures. He was very busy during his 33-year career. He created 86 different "Rogers Groups." From these, he made almost 80,000 copies! These statues were found in many homes across the United States. They decorated living rooms, which were called parlors back then.
Famous Sculptures on Display
Some of the sculptures you can see at the studio are very interesting.
- "The Traveling Magician" shows a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat. Two children are watching him with excitement.
- "The Neighboring Pews" captures a quiet moment between people in church.
- "Union Refugees" shows a scene from the Civil War. It helps us imagine what life was like during that time.
A National Historic Landmark
The John Rogers Studio was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1965. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. In 2003, the studio received a special grant. This money helped add a system to control the temperature and clean the air inside. This system helps protect both the old building and the valuable sculptures for many years to come.
See also
