MacDowell (artists' residency and workshop) facts for kids
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MacDowell Colony
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Colony Hall and Sigma Alpha Iota Cottage
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| Location | 100 High Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire |
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| Built | 1907 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000026 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | December 29, 1962 |
MacDowell is a special place in Peterborough, New Hampshire, where artists can go to create. It's known as an artists' colony. It was started in 1907 by a famous composer named Edward MacDowell and his wife, Marian MacDowell. She was a pianist and helped many people.
For a long time, this place was called the MacDowell Colony. But in July 2020, its name was changed to just "MacDowell." The people in charge decided to remove the word "Colony." They wanted to take away any words that might remind people of unfair times in history.
After Edward MacDowell passed away in 1908, Marian MacDowell worked hard to keep his dream alive. She created a program where artists could come and stay. She turned her farm into a peaceful place for creative people to work. Marian led the organization for almost 25 years.
Over the years, about 8,300 artists have visited MacDowell. They have received nearly 15,000 special awards called fellowships. Many of these artists have won big awards like the Pulitzer Prize (86 winners), National Book Awards (31 winners), and Tony Awards (30 winners). They also include winners of Grammys, Oscars, and other important honors.
Artists from many different fields come to MacDowell. These include visual artists, filmmakers, composers, writers, poets, and architects. Both famous and new artists are welcome. Since 2020, Nell Irvin Painter has been the chair of MacDowell. She is the first woman to hold this important position.
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History of MacDowell
In 1896, Marian MacDowell bought a farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire. It was called Hillcrest Farm. She bought it as a summer home for herself and her husband, Edward MacDowell. Marian always made sure Edward had a quiet place to work on his music. They both found that the beautiful New Hampshire scenery helped him create.
The couple had an idea to create a place where artists from different fields could work together. They wanted to build a special home for artists in the area. In 1904, Edward MacDowell became ill. This illness stopped him from composing and teaching. He passed away in 1908.
In 1907, Marian MacDowell gave their farm to the Edward MacDowell Association. This is how the MacDowell Colony began. The first guests arrived that same year. They were sisters Helen Farnsworth Mears, a sculptor, and Mary Mears, a writer. Mary Mears wrote about her time there in a magazine in 1909. At first, Marian invited artists herself. But by the 1920s, a special committee started choosing who could come.
Marian and her friends worked to raise money for MacDowell. They got help from important people like Andrew Carnegie, who was a rich businessman. Former U.S. President Grover Cleveland and banker J. P. Morgan also helped. Marian said that women's clubs and music groups gave the most help. When she was 50, Marian started giving talks to women's groups to raise money. She also began performing music again. She became well-known for playing her husband's music.
In 1916, a woman named Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge helped build a studio at MacDowell. It was named after her teacher, Regina Watson. This studio was updated in 1993. It became MacDowell's first studio that everyone could use, including those with disabilities.
By 1918, students of Isabelle Sprague Smith helped fund another studio. It was named the Isabelle D. Sprague Smith studio. Over the years, many more separate studios were built. Today, there are 32 studios spread out over 450 acres (about 1.8 square kilometers) of land.
On March 13, 2020, MacDowell had to close because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Artists and Fellows had to go home. This was the first time the site had closed since a big hurricane in 1938.
MacDowell Medal Day
Every year, MacDowell gives out a special award called the Edward MacDowell Medal. This medal goes to an artist who has made a very important contribution to culture. Artists do not have to have stayed at MacDowell to receive this award. In 2019, the 60th Medal was given to a visual artist.
Medal Day is one of the few times that the MacDowell grounds are open to the public. The day includes a main speech. After the speech, the artists open their studios. Visitors can then explore and see where the artists create their work.
Awards and Recognition
MacDowell has received several important awards.
- In 1962, the buildings and land were named a National Historic Landmark District. This means they are very important to the history of the United States.
- In 1997, MacDowell was given the National Medal of Arts. This is a high honor for artistic excellence in the United States.
Famous Works Created at MacDowell
Many famous books, plays, and musical pieces were created at MacDowell. Artists find the quiet and inspiring setting perfect for their work.
Here are some examples:
- Aaron Copland worked on his music piece Appalachian Spring (1944). It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1945.
- Thornton Wilder wrote the famous play Our Town and the book The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
- James Baldwin wrote his novel Giovanni's Room.
- Willa Cather wrote Death Comes for the Archbishop.
- DuBose and Dorothy Heyward wrote the opera Porgy and Bess.
- Alice Walker worked on her first novel and Meridian.
- Michael Chabon wrote The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. This book won a Pulitzer Prize in 2001. Michael Chabon was also the chairman of MacDowell's board from 2010 to 2020.
- Alice Sebold wrote The Lovely Bones.
- Jonathan Franzen completed his novel The Corrections.
