J. Alden Weir’s art studio at Weir Farm National Historical Park
Julian Alden Weir built an art studio separate from his house in 1885. It is one of two original studios at Weir Farm National Historical Park, the other located just a stone’s throw to the west that was built in 1932 by Mahonri Young, an artist who married Weir’s daughter, Dorothy.
Knowledgeable volunteers are typically on duty at the Weir Studio on Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM for those who want to learn more about the artist and the building. The studio takes no more than fifteen minutes to visit. Times can change, so be sure to get the current schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for Weir Farm National Historical Park.
The studio standing today has been expanded since it was first built. The original structure was the barn-shaped building with the green doors (see the photo above). In 1901, the narrow structure with the stairs running up the right side was added. Though it may not look like it, this is actually a water tower. Water was pumped to it from a well on the other side of Nod Hill Road. The hexagonal tool shed was built around 1914.
Water tower and tool shed at the Weir Studio, Weir Farm National Historical Park
A storage shed used mainly for wood was added to the west side of the building (the side facing the Young Studio) sometime between the water tower addition and 1911. There were windows on all sides of the original studio, but the shed and water tower covered up half of them. To compensate, two large windows were added to the north side.
Windows on the north side of the Weir Studio and storage shed addition at Weir Farm National Historical Park
When Weir died in 1919, the studio was rarely used. It was, however, maintained by the Youngs up until Mahonri’s death in 1957 (Dorothy died in 1947). The Weir House and studios were purchased by Sperry and Doris Andrews, and they renovated the roof, added a gutter, fixed the stairs at the water tower, and rebuilt the chimney.
The interior of the Weir Studio has been furnished as it might have been around 1915. The paintings are all reproductions, but I believe some of the art equipment once belonged to Weir (but don’t quote me on it). If you want to see some of his original paintings, there are a few in the Burlingham House Visitor Center and the Weir House, which is open for guided tours.
Interior of the Weir Studio at Weir Farm National Historical Park
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Last updated on September 9, 2024
