Weir Farm National Historic Park

Even if you’re not familiar with J. Alden Weir, perhaps you’re familiar with his work. He was a legendary painter from New York who created some of the 19th and 20th centuries’ most highly regarded American impressionist art.

In the small Connecticut town of Wilton, Weir acquired a 60-acre farm where he could paint, think, and enjoy nature. Weir passed away in 1919, and by the 1980s his farm had been subdivided for development. But before the developments broke ground, a groundswell of community support led to the protection of this historically important property. Trust for Public Land helped the community reassemble the original farm—working with the Weir Farm Trust and the state to permanently protect it—and advocated for the site’s designation as Connecticut’s first national park.

Today, Weir Farm National Historic Park stands strong—a place to enjoy the outdoors and Weir’s collection of art. The park also hosts a variety of present-day artist residencies, workshops, and shows. In the words of the National Park Service, it’s a “national park for art.”