The contained area around Chadds Ford Pennsylvania has the moniker of "Wyeth Country." Here, three generations of Wyeths, including N.C., Andrew, and Jamie, have lived. Their art has helped immortalize a landscape of meaning. The Brandywine River Museum houses many of these Wyeth's work, as well as the work of the extended Wyeth family, along with other significant regional artists. The physical museum, built around an historic mill, represents twentieth century preservation efforts that saved the region from sprawling over-development.
The museum has preserved three important places associated with the Wyeths: N.C. Wyeth's studio and home, Andrew Wyeth's studio and home, and the Kuerner Farm where Andrew painted a host of important paintings. The museum conducts tours to these sites.
On the same road as the Kuerner Farm is Mother Archie's church, now a ruin. While the church was still standing, Andrew Wyeth painted it a few times, including an almost surreleastic rendering from inside the church, circa 1940. This video might persuade you to visit and wander the haunting grounds.
Chadds Ford has other sites that tease out the vision that this Brandywine Creek region inspires.The Chris Sanderson Museum preserves the ephemera collected by a twentieth century local eccentric/character, whom Andrew knew and painted. One scholar (John A. Durst) contrasts this eponymous museum with the Brandywine River Museum, delving deep into contemporary process of mythologizing. The controversial book, The Written Suburb: An American Site, An Ethnographic Dilemma, is a fascinating read for the deep traveler who seeks to understand the times in which s/he lives and the place visited.
Near the Sanderson Museum is the Chad House, which gave the village its name, as well as played a part in the Battle of the Brandywine.
The museum has preserved three important places associated with the Wyeths: N.C. Wyeth's studio and home, Andrew Wyeth's studio and home, and the Kuerner Farm where Andrew painted a host of important paintings. The museum conducts tours to these sites.
On the same road as the Kuerner Farm is Mother Archie's church, now a ruin. While the church was still standing, Andrew Wyeth painted it a few times, including an almost surreleastic rendering from inside the church, circa 1940. This video might persuade you to visit and wander the haunting grounds.
Chadds Ford has other sites that tease out the vision that this Brandywine Creek region inspires.The Chris Sanderson Museum preserves the ephemera collected by a twentieth century local eccentric/character, whom Andrew knew and painted. One scholar (John A. Durst) contrasts this eponymous museum with the Brandywine River Museum, delving deep into contemporary process of mythologizing. The controversial book, The Written Suburb: An American Site, An Ethnographic Dilemma, is a fascinating read for the deep traveler who seeks to understand the times in which s/he lives and the place visited.
Near the Sanderson Museum is the Chad House, which gave the village its name, as well as played a part in the Battle of the Brandywine.
The Tour: Wyeth Country
I. Brandywine River Museum
A converted 1864 grist mill, by virtue of efforts by the Brandywine Conservancy, offers an inspiring vision of the art and ethos of the region, including the turn of the century Summer Art School run by renowned illustrator Howard Pyle. ["The Brandywine School of Illustration" pp.41-42] . The Brandywine River Museum features the work of the Wyeth family, who lived in the Chadds Ford environs, drawing inspiration from the landscape and its people. The Brandywine River Museums stages tours of three nearby sites: the houses and studios of N.C and Andrew and the Kuerner Farm. ["Brandywine River Museum" pp. 34-35]
A converted 1864 grist mill, by virtue of efforts by the Brandywine Conservancy, offers an inspiring vision of the art and ethos of the region, including the turn of the century Summer Art School run by renowned illustrator Howard Pyle. ["The Brandywine School of Illustration" pp.41-42] . The Brandywine River Museum features the work of the Wyeth family, who lived in the Chadds Ford environs, drawing inspiration from the landscape and its people. The Brandywine River Museums stages tours of three nearby sites: the houses and studios of N.C and Andrew and the Kuerner Farm. ["Brandywine River Museum" pp. 34-35]
II. N.C. Wyeth House and Studio
Built by N.C. in 1911, the extraordinary Wyeth children grew up here. Daughter and painter, Carolyn Wyeth lived here through her death in 1994. The tour is conducted through the Brandywine River Museum. ["N.C. Wyeth House and Studio" pp. 36-37]
Built by N.C. in 1911, the extraordinary Wyeth children grew up here. Daughter and painter, Carolyn Wyeth lived here through her death in 1994. The tour is conducted through the Brandywine River Museum. ["N.C. Wyeth House and Studio" pp. 36-37]
III. Andrew Wyeth House and Studio
This former schoolhouse is something of a trompe l'oeil, able to evoke a sense of Andrew's work world. He painted here much of his life (1940-2008). It was his first family home with wife Betsy. The tour is conducted through Brandywine River Museum. ["Andrew Wyeth's Studio" pp. 38-39]
This former schoolhouse is something of a trompe l'oeil, able to evoke a sense of Andrew's work world. He painted here much of his life (1940-2008). It was his first family home with wife Betsy. The tour is conducted through Brandywine River Museum. ["Andrew Wyeth's Studio" pp. 38-39]
IV. Kuerner Farm
Many of Andrew Wyeth's work feature the landscape of the Kuerner Farm, including the corner where N.C. Wyeth and grandson were killed in a train accident. It was here that Andrew painted his secretive and controversial "Helga" paintings.The tour is conducted through the Brandywine River Museum. ["The Kuerner Farm" pp. 39-40]
V. Mother Archie's Church
This site was part of a twentieth century African American community. The ruins of an octagonal schoolhouse that became a church and its small graveyard remain. Andrew Wyeth paintings rendered the church's interior and exterior.
This site was part of a twentieth century African American community. The ruins of an octagonal schoolhouse that became a church and its small graveyard remain. Andrew Wyeth paintings rendered the church's interior and exterior.
VI. Chris Sanderson Museum
This underappreciated and eccentric collection by a twentieth century life-long resident of Chadds Ford, Chris Sanderson Museum ["Chris Sanderson Museum" pp. 50-51], is easily overlooked, but worth a visit. Its collection and backstory contrasts with that of the Brandywine River Museum.
VII. John Chad House.
This picturesque house and setting represent the village's origins and speak to the Battle of Brandywine.
Food Suggestion: Without a doubt, the townie restaurant is Hank's Place in the heart of Chadds Ford. Once the place where Andrew Wyeth joined the locals, it is usually a busy and savory choice to experience the range of downhome contemporary Chester County culture.
This underappreciated and eccentric collection by a twentieth century life-long resident of Chadds Ford, Chris Sanderson Museum ["Chris Sanderson Museum" pp. 50-51], is easily overlooked, but worth a visit. Its collection and backstory contrasts with that of the Brandywine River Museum.
VII. John Chad House.
This picturesque house and setting represent the village's origins and speak to the Battle of Brandywine.
Food Suggestion: Without a doubt, the townie restaurant is Hank's Place in the heart of Chadds Ford. Once the place where Andrew Wyeth joined the locals, it is usually a busy and savory choice to experience the range of downhome contemporary Chester County culture.
