Weir Farm
National Historic Site

American Impressionist painter, J. Alden Weir (1852-1919) summered at this country retreat for nearly 40 years. The 60 acre site includes Weir's home, studio, barns and outbuildings, a visitor center, and a second studio built by sculptor, Mahonri Young. Additionally, the landscape that served as subject matter for many of Weir's paintings and other works of art by Childe Hassam, Albert Pinkham Ryder and John Twachtman, remains largely intact. The Historic Painting Sites Trail allows visitors to actually stand where the artists did and compare paintings with the scene that inspired them. Ranger led tours of the studio buildings are also available to walk-in visitors.

 

VISITATION:
Highest in May and October; lowest in January and February.

LOCATION:
Wilton and Ridgefield, CT

ADDRESS:
Weir Farm National Historic Site
735 Nod Hill Road
Wilton, CT 06897

TELEPHONE:
(203) 834-1896

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Our visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Years Day. The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk.

DIRECTIONS:
Visitors from the south should take I-95 or Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) to Route 7 north to Branchville, left on Route 102 west, second left onto Old Branchville Road, first left onto Nod Hill Road. Weir Farm is 3/4 mile up hill on right, parking on left.

Visitors from the north should take I-84 to exit 3 - Route 7 south, to Branchville, right onto Route 102 west, second left onto Old Branchville Road, first left onto Nod Hill Road. Weir Farm is 3/4 mile up hill on right, parking on left.

TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: personal vehicle; Metro-North train to Branchville station and then taxi or walk to park (about two miles from station).

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
No admission fee; donations accepted at visitor center.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Burlingham House Visitor Center offers small exhibits, an 18 minute video orientation to the site, and an interactive computer program featuring works of art created at the site.
Trails, Roads:
Walking trails connect to Nature Conservancy Preserve and town conservation land; Historic Painting Sites trail visits 10 sites where paintings were created.
Programs/Activities:
Ranger led tours of the Weir and Young Studios are offered Wednesday - Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Special events scheduled year round; call for information.
Lodging and camping facilities:
None in park; a variety of hotels, inns, and motels are available in surrounding communities.
Food/supplies:
Local restaurants, grocery stores.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
A small bookstore located in the visitor center is managed by the Weir Farm Trust.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Sight seeing at historic site; walking the grounds; attendance at special scheduled events; attendance of guided tours and programs. Artists are encouraged to bring sketch pads or easels and use the property for artistic inspiration.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations are required for school and other group tours.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Set aside one to two hours to explore the site.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Holiday Open House is scheduled for early December - it's the one time during the year that the Weir House is currently open to the public. Art classes and workshops are offered during warm months. Nature walks and special talks are also scheduled throughout the season.

The Weir Farm Trust's Visiting Artist Program offers five professional artists a unique "residency" experience and exhibit annually. Applications due June 1st. Exhibits are always open to the public. Call the Trust for further information and application materials at (203) 834-1896.

School House This park is featured in a lesson plan created by Teaching with Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service that helps teachers and students understand how parks and other historic places embody America's historical experiences and cultural expressions.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
The Keeler Tavern Museum and the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art are both located in Ridgefield. The Norwalk Maritime Center/Aquarium/IMAX Theater and the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum are located in Norwalk.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Call (203) 834-1896

Student Opportunities

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Questions? Send an e-mail to web author, clifford_laube@nps.gov
Last Updated: Friday, 30-Mar-99
http://www.nps.gov/wefa/