Waterford Historical Society (CT)
Featuring musical works and works of art
6th Annual Art In Waterford: Past + Present + Future
October 25-27, 2024
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center / Rose Barn
Come hear "To a Wild Rose" in the Rose Barn
This year the Society expands its artistic perspective to feature music, recognizing a famous composer connected with Waterford’s past, Edward A. MacDowell. A fundraising piano concert of his works will be held on Saturday, October 26 at 4 p.m., beginning with an opening reception at 3:30 p.m., in the Rose Barn where three noted local exceptional pianists will perform various pieces from MacDowell’s extensive repertoire, including the well-known piece, “To A Wild Rose.” Proceeds will benefit both the Friends of Nevins Cottage and the Waterford Historical Society, as the Society is pleased that the Nevins cottage will be restored as an important Waterford historical landmark. Ticket information is forthcoming.
The juried art show of contemporary artists and the local student art show will be featured on the beautiful balcony of the Rufus and Margo Rose Theater Barn on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a modest $5 contribution, visitors will receive the commemorative Art In Waterford program booklet written by local author and noted pianist Peter Emanuel that includes an extensive history of Edward MacDowell and Marian Nevins as well as short bios of all the artists in the juried show. Most of the artworks will be for sale, with a portion of the proceeds realized to benefit the Waterford Historical Society.
The Waterford Connection
Acclaimed composer Edward A. MacDowell was married to Marian Nevins, whose family owned large tracts of land east of Jordan Village including the Shaw-Perkins Mansion located on Rope Ferry Road across from the Waterford Public Library. Marian was sent to Germany to study piano under Clara Schumann, but as Schumann was on tour, Marian instead took lessons from MacDowell and their relationship grew. Eventually they returned to the United States and were married in the mansion in 1884.
In the middle of the last century, the Nevins family's bequest of land and buildings on Rope Ferry Road included Jordan Green and the weathered "Nevins tenant cottage" located near the Waterford Public Library. Recently a new not-for-profit organization, The Friends of Nevins Cottage, was formed to raise funds to restore the cottage.
The MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire
In 1896, Marian Nevins MacDowell purchased land in Peterborough, New Hampshire, for a summer home, providing a tranquil woodland setting she believed would benefit Edward's work as a composer. There they established the MacDowell Colony for aspiring and practicing artists of every art form, including composers, playwrights, photographers, poets and more. After MacDowell's passing at age 47 due to poor health, Marian, herself an accomplished pianist, went on tour to perform his works to raise funds for the Colony. She performed for women's musical clubs called MacDowell Clubs throughout the United States.
The MacDowell Colony, now known simply as MacDowell, flourishes today with hundreds of artists in residence annually. Some of the luminaries who have created works at the Colony include composers Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein; playwrights Thornton Wilder and Wendy Wasserstein; and authors Willa Cather, Jonathan Franzen and James Baldwin.
The Waterford Historical Society will hold its 6th annual Art In Waterford: Past+Present+Future event in the Rufus and Margo Rose Theater Barn at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, featuring a juried art show from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27 and a fundraising piano concert of works by Edward MacDowell on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 26.
At left: Edward A. MacDowell and Marian Nevins. Photo courtesy of The. MacDowell Colony.