Purpose and Significance of the Park

Weir Farm National Historic Site was established by Congress under the Public Law 101-485, 104 stat. 1171 (also know as the Weir Farm National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1990) on October 31, 1990 to preserve the life and work of landscape artist J. Alden Weir (1852-1919), one of the founders of the impressionist tradition in American Art. As described in the enabling legislation, the threefold purpose of Weir Farm NHS is to:

• Preserve a significant site associated with the tradition of American Impressionism;
• Maintain the integrity of a setting that inspired artistic expression; and
• Offer opportunities for the inspirational benefit and education of the American people.

Weir Farm NHS is one of only two sites within the national park system that focus primarily on art and it is the only park unit in the State of Connecticut.