How does our environment influence our creativity? Weir Farm National Historic Site is a place where visitors and artists can explore this question in many different ways.
To American Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir (1852 – 1919), his beloved Connecticut farm provided him with the means to explore his artistic impressions of nature. For 37 years, Weir and visiting friends such as Childe Hassam and John Twachtman painted the gentle rolling hills, rocky pastures, people, and animals of the 153-acre farm. After Weir’s death in 1919, the next two generations to live at the farm were also artists. First, Weir’s daughter Dorothy married sculptor Mahonri Young, who built a second studio on the property. After Young’s death, the farm was sold to artist couple Sperry and Doris Andrews. Each generation enjoyed artistic inspiration at Weir Farm. Each generation also honored and preserved the historic integrity of the landscape.
Park visitors today can still see this American Impressionist landscape. At Weir Farm, all are welcome to learn the artists' stories, create their own artwork, or just enjoy strolling around the grounds. The park's partner, the Weir Farm Trust, also provides professional artists with opportunities such as its artist-in-residency program. Weir Farm is a place to explore our artistic past, a place to create art now, and a promise for continued creative inspiration.
For information on:
Kids Art Classes
The Visiting Artist Program
The Artist-In-Residence Program
