Walking the Watercolors of Weir Pond
Weir Farm National Historic Site [CT]
A Random Weekend in Connecticut
Wilton, CT
12 May 2018
Introduction
"Connecticut! Why the hell not? On the twelfth of May in the year of 2018, I took a brief tour around the state. The number one place I had to visit was Weir Farm National Historic Site. Weir Farm is home to the only Connecticut cancellation location in the National Parks Passport.
Julian Alden Weir, an American Impressionist artist, believed that creating art outdoors provided an intimate connection to the emotional and spiritual character of the landscape. Weir Farm National Historic Site celebrates the blending of art and nature."
Julian Alden Weir, an American Impressionist artist, believed that creating art outdoors provided an intimate connection to the emotional and spiritual character of the landscape. Weir Farm National Historic Site celebrates the blending of art and nature."
When I arrived at Weir Farm, I began with the main historical sites. I went to the visitor center, explored the grounds, visited the studios of Weir and Young, and then went on a tour of the farmhouse. All of this can be read about in: Weir Farm - An Oasis of Art and Nature in Connecticut.
Join me on my walk to Weir Pond and around the loop as I talk about the history and the hike.
Join me on my walk to Weir Pond and around the loop as I talk about the history and the hike.
The Story
With prize money won for his painting The Truants at the Boston Art Club exhibition, Weir authorized the construction of Weir Pond in 1896. The only photo I have found of The Truants is this one. He intended to use the pond for fishing.
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| The start of the hike to Weir Pond from Weir Farm |
Below is one of the seven painted bison on the property. More information from Boston Globe:
"Today when you stroll through the fields of Weir Farm you will see the following seven historic paintings adhered to life sized bison and placed in the area that inspired the works of art: Upland Pasture and The Palace Car (Weir), Weir’s Orchard (Ryder), Rowan and Branchville Shed (Young) and Weir House and Weir Preserve (Andrews).
You will also see several baby bison on the grounds near their parents, but without any art work. The works of art were selected by the curatorial staff under the direction of Dolores Tirri."
Stone walls in the middle of the woods again.
Blaze colors can be intriguing.
The loop begins here.
Lots of geese today.
The dam.
The construction workers left a circular section in the pond unexcavated in 1896, which formed an island when the pond filled with water. J. Alden Weir put a summerhouse on this island. His older bro John, who managed the farm while Weir resided in New York, said in a 1904 letter "We often go on the pond, and over to the summerhouse for tea, and stroll about the fields which never looked more beautiful."
Photos above and below show the mist across the surface of the water. Photo below looks potentially like it could be a Weir painting.
In addition to fishing, the pond became useful during the winter as well. They would cut frozen ice blocks from the pond to store in the Ice House. It was also still a time for painting, where he created The Ice Cutters and Rabbits by the Pond.
The northwestern part of the pond featured a boat dock, at which there are photos of Weir and John Singer Sargent. There may have been a boathouse constructed around 1915 along the western section of the pond.
There are a whole bunch of hiking trails outside of the National Historic Site at both Weir Preserve and Nod Hill Refuge. The map below shows the trail system. At this point of the Pond loop, you can turn off into the Nod Hill Refuge trails. I remained on the Weir Pond Trail.
Yellow paint splatter blazes.
Weir Pond Wildlife!
I think this is a Blue-winged Warbler. Don't hold me to it though.
Chipmunk saying hi!
Chipmunk scurrying away.
Bluebirds
Geese. Again.
Roar for More!
Hurdles
I suck at bird identification. I neglected to start my Garmin watch, so I have no record of my walk. My camera battery died at the end of the walk.
Basically just first world problems.
Quote
“Really, I know not what I am best at. I believe I am a fisherman, dreamer and lover of nature, . . . and if I lived to 120 I might become an artist.” - Julian Alden Weir
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