Waterford Historical Society (CT)
Featuring musical works and works of art
Edward A. MacDowell and Marian Nevins MacDowell. Photo courtesy of The MacDowell Colony.
6th Annual Art In Waterford: Past + Present + Future
October 25-27, 2024
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center / Rose Barn
This year the Society expands its artistic perspective to feature music and two artists connected with Waterford's historic past. We will introduce Edward A. MacDowell, a famous composer, and his wife Marian Nevins MacDowell, herself an accomplished pianist, and present their profound influence on American artists.
The Nevins and MacDowell Waterford Connection
Acclaimed composer Edward A. MacDowell married 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's mother passed away when she was 8 years old, so her father sent her to live with her two aunts in Waterford, Connecticut. They recognized her musical talent, and Marian was sent to Germany at age 23 to study piano under Clara Schumann. But Schumann was on tour, so Marian instead took lessons from Edward MacDowell and their relationship grew. Eventually they returned to the United States and were married in the Shaw-Perkins mansion in Waterford 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.
Meet Marian Nevins: Hallmark Movie Presentation: "The Lady in the Wings" October 16
The Waterford Historical Society is pleased to present two showings of the 1954 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "The Lady in the Wings" at the Waterford Public Library on October 16, at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. This is the story of Edward MacDowell, American composer (1860 - 1908) and Marian Nevins MacDowell who founded the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire that has produced world renowned figures in the arts such as Aaron Copland and Thornton Wilder. The film concludes with a personal appearance by Marian Nevins MacDowell who thanks those who supported her. Admission is free.
Art In Waterford 6th Annual Juried Art Show, October 25-27
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, October 25-27, 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 MacDowell 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.
A Fundraising Piano Concert in Spring 2025
A fundraising piano concert of MacDowell's works will be held in Spring 2025 when 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 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. Among the many luminaries who have created works at the Colony are 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 juried art show in the Rufus and Margo Rose Theater Barn at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
"The Lady in the Wings" movie presentation on October 16 at the Waterford Public Library at 4 and 6:30 p.m.