NPTC Meetup across the US➢

One of the club members had the great idea to sponsor meetups in all 7 of the NPS regions on one day in June. I chose to attend the North-Atlantic meetup at Weir Farm. I arrived early and hiked to Weir pond. Our group began with a tour of the mansion. Next we explored the grounds and toured the studios. After, we all had lunch at a nearby snack stand.

Weir Farm➢

Weir Farm National Historical Park, tucked away in Wilton, Connecticut, celebrates the life and legacy of J. Alden Weir, a prominent figure in American Impressionism. In 1882, J. Alden Weir acquired a picturesque 153-acre farm in Connecticut for $10 and one of his paintings. Over the years, Weir and the artists he welcomed there created countless works inspired by the local countryside.

After Weir’s passing in 1919, his daughter Dorothy Weir, an accomplished artist herself, took over managing the property. Following her marriage to sculptor Mahonri Young in 1931, the couple added a second studio to Weir Farm, continuing its artistic legacy. Mahonri Young’s friend and fellow artist, Sperry Andrews, purchased the farm after Young’s death. Andrews, his wife and J. Alden Wier’s daughter Cora worked to preserve Weir farm as a haven for the arts. They played an instrumental role in the site’s designation as a National Historic Site.

Today the park features tours of Weir’s home, demonstrations in the studios and access to the gardens. Visitors are welcome to try their hand at plein air painting with the park’s art supplies. And three miles of trails wind through the landscapes that were the subject of many of Weir’s paintings.

Grounds➢

After our house tour, we explored the grounds. Weir Farm National Historical Park features two historic studios that highlight the creative spirit of the artists who lived and worked on the property: J. Alden Weir’s Studio and Mahonri Young’s Studio. There were rangers stationed in each of the studios who explained what we were looking at.

We also walked through the secret garden (secret because the hedges conceal it) behind the studios. Then we looked inside the restored barn and stables. Though Weir didn’t farm for a living, he kept livestock for the aesthetics.

Weir Farm Posts➢

• Weir Pond
• Weir House
• Weir Farm’s Studios and Grounds

---

Location: 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton, Connecticut
Designation: National Historical Park
Date designated/established: 1990
Date of my visit: June 10, 2023