The 68-acre Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton, Connecticut, preserves the life and work of Julian Alden Weir, a leading American impressionist painter.

Weir’s home, studios and landscape remain largely intact and continue to be a source of inspiration to everyone who visits. Set amid painterly woods, fields and waterways, guests will soon see why Weir described his home as the “Great Good Place.” Three generations of artist families occupied this historic home.

Built in the 1780s, the home was first occupied by the Weirs in 1882 and has been restored to around 1940.

Weir Farm artists
Plein-air artists, Weir Farm National Historic Site, Wilton, Conn.
Credit: NPS

Other artists who stayed at the site or lived there include Childe Hassam, Emil Carlsen and Albert Pinkham Ryder. Together, they created masterpieces of light and color on canvas that came to define American Impressionism.

J. Alden Weir’s studio at Weir Farm maintains ongoing artist-in-residence programs and “Take Part in Art” program, where visitors can create their own works on-site.

“Weir Farm National Historic Site is the only national park dedicated to American painting, and was the home of Julian Alden Weir, the beloved impressionist painter,” said Amanda Lord, park ranger. “Group tours will be enchanted by the rural landscape that has inspired artists for over 130 years. Groups can visit the historic house and restored artist studios; take a gentle walk through the forest; stroll in the gardens; and use our art supplies to create a lovely work of art.”

barn, coral and stone wall
Barn and coral, Weir Farm National Historic Site, Wilton, Conn.
Credit: NPS

Group house tours are offered May through October, Wednesday until Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Tours are about 30 minutes in length, and tour size is limited to 12 visitors. Advance reservations are required. Grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset, year-round. The site is wheelchair accessible. Parking is limited.

For more information on Weir Farm National Historic Site call 203-834-1896, ext. 11, or go to nps.gov/wefa.

Article by Mira Temkin