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Weir Farm Celebrates The Centennial Of The National Park Service

WILTON, Conn. — Weir Farm National Historic Site, a park that's located on the border of Wilton and Ridgefield, will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service on Thursday, Aug. 25.

Judy Wander, president of Friends of Weir Farm National Historic Park.

Judy Wander, president of Friends of Weir Farm National Historic Park.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Alan Coriaty works at the front desk at the Visitor's Center.

Alan Coriaty works at the front desk at the Visitor's Center.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Visitor's Center at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

The Visitor's Center at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Sunken Garden at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

The Sunken Garden at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A historic rock-slab picnic table graces the yard at Weir Farm.

A historic rock-slab picnic table graces the yard at Weir Farm.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The restored Weir House.

The restored Weir House.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Secret Garden.

The Secret Garden.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The interior of the Weir Studio.

The interior of the Weir Studio.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The exterior of the Weir Studio

The exterior of the Weir Studio

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The dining room of the Weir House.

The dining room of the Weir House.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Weir House has been fully restored.

The Weir House has been fully restored.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The front porch of the Weir House.

The front porch of the Weir House.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
A bedroom in the restored Weir House.

A bedroom in the restored Weir House.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The historic home at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

The historic home at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
This painting of the Danbury Fair is located inside the Young Studio.

This painting of the Danbury Fair is located inside the Young Studio.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The interior of the Young Studio includes parts of the "This Is The Place Monument."

The interior of the Young Studio includes parts of the "This Is The Place Monument."

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The soaring interior of the Young Studio.

The soaring interior of the Young Studio.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The two artists studios at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

The two artists studios at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
The Secret Garden at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

The Secret Garden at Weir Farm National Historic Site.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Weir Farm National Historic Park.

Weir Farm National Historic Park.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

Weir Farm is a 60-acre national park with a focus on the visual arts. To celebrate the National Park Service's 100th anniversary, Weir Farm has been hosting a series of free ongoing events throughout the year.

For its centennial year, staff at Weir Farm has put together a handout of 100 ways visitors can explore and learn at Weir farm -- 25 for each season.

Weir Farm, the only National Park in Fairfield County, became a National Historic Site in October 1990. A total of 412 National Park Service sites exist across the United States.

The park was named after J. Alden Weir, an Impressionist painter who lived on the property.

Kristin Lessard, park ranger and chief of interpretation, education and volunteer services at Weir Farm, said, "Weir Farm is best known for its art history, historic home and art studios that have been restored. The landscape has been very well preserved.

"Our mission is dual," Lessard said. "First, it's to preserve and protect America's special places. Second, it's to provide enjoyment for current and future generations by getting visitors to come and find their park.

"The centennial anniversary is Weir's opportunity to enable people to see these special places that belong to all of us," Lessard said. "We are a national park located right in your own backyard. At Weir, we have something for everyone."

Also, to pay tribute to the Bison as a symbol of the National Park System, staff volunteers have created Art Bison, which are life-size cutouts covered with historic paintings that have been created by the three generations of artists who lived on Weir Farm. 

These paintings have been placed throughout the park. Visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt to locate them.

In addition, visitors can also create their own art at Weir Farm. Free art supplies can be borrowed from the visitor center, and visitors can create art anywhere in the park that inspires them, and then they can take their paintings home with them.

A concert called "Jazz in the Garden," in partnership with the Weir Farm Art Center, will take place on Sept. 18. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward supporting Weir Farm's Artist-In-Residence Program.

Tours of the Weir house and two historic art studios are offered Wednesdays through Sundays. The grounds and its hiking trails are open to the public from sun up to sundown at Weir Farm.

Weir Park National Historic Site is at 735 Nod Hill Road in Wilton. For more information about Weir Farm and its programs, click here or call 203-834-1896.

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