Weir Farm National Historical Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weir Farm National Historical Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Weir Farm National Historical Park
Location in Connecticut
Weir Farm National Historical Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | 735 Nod Hill Road Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States |
| Nearest city | Wilton, CT |
| Area | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Established | 1990 |
| Visitors | 34,802 (in 2014) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Weir Farm National Historical Park |
Weir Farm National Historical Park is a special place in Ridgefield and Wilton, Connecticut. It celebrates the life and artwork of American impressionist painter J. Alden Weir and other artists who lived or worked there. These artists included famous names like Childe Hassam, Albert Pinkham Ryder, John Singer Sargent, and John Twachtman.
Weir Farm is one of only two places in the National Park Service dedicated to visual arts. The other is Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. Both parks have programs where artists can come and stay for a month to create new art. Over 150 artists have visited Weir Farm through this program!
The park also has a fun "Take Part in Art" program. Visitors can create their own artwork right there at the farm. In 2020, Weir Farm was even featured on a special quarter as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
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A Look Back: History of Weir Farm
In 1882, J. Alden Weir was looking for a quiet country place. He found a 153-acre farm in the Branchville area of Ridgefield. He bought it by trading a painting and $10! Many artists, including Weir himself, painted the beautiful landscapes around the farm.
The Farm's Artistic Legacy Continues
After J. Alden Weir passed away in 1919, his daughter, Dorothy Weir, took care of the property. She was also a talented artist. In 1931, she married sculptor Mahonri Young. He built a second art studio at Weir Farm.
Artist Sperry Andrews became friends with Mahonri Young. Sperry spent years painting at the farm. After Mahonri's death, Sperry bought the property.
Saving Weir Farm for Everyone
Sperry's wife, Doris Andrews, worked hard with Cora Weir Burlingham to save Weir Farm. Their efforts led to the U.S. government making it a National Historic Site in 1990. This was important because the land had almost been sold for housing.
The Trust for Public Land helped buy back the divided land. They worked with the Weir Farm Trust and the State of Connecticut to protect the farm forever. Sperry and Doris Andrews were allowed to live there for the rest of their lives. They even gave tours to visitors!
Restoring the Artistic Spaces
After Sperry and Doris passed away, the park was carefully restored. The two artist studios and the main house were brought back to how they looked in the past. In May 2014, these special places were opened to the public again.
Today, the park has 16 buildings on 60 acres of land. There's even a hiking trail to explore! Park rangers offer tours, sharing stories about the artists and the farm. In 2021, Weir Farm became a National Historical Park, which means it's recognized for its important history and art.
