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Brandywine River Museum Receives N.C. Wyeth's Weapons Collection
(September 2005, #036)

For Immediate Release

CHADDS FORD, PA—During the early spring, artist James Wyeth generously gave the Brandywine River Museum a collection of weapons once owned by his grandfather, famed illustrator N.C. Wyeth. The collection contains over 60 pieces, ranging from flintlock rifles and WWI Russian rifles to edged weapons such as bayonets and knives. Perhaps the most distinguished among the pieces is a long rifle marked with the name of its maker, Philip Beck, a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania gunsmith who worked in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

These weapons were used as props that were sketched and painted for many of Wyeth's works of the American frontier, the Civil War, World War I, and other subjects. The collection is eclectic and provides insight regarding N.C. Wyeth's creation of accurate and enduring illustrations.

The collection is now being prepared for installation at the N.C. Wyeth Studio by volunteer Jim Ellis. He first catalogued each piece and is presently engaged in long-term conservation that will lead to the public display of these weapons that figure so prominently in Wyeth.s illustrations.

The N.C. Wyeth Studio opened for public tours in 1996, in celebration of the Brandywine River Museum's 25th anniversary. In 1997, both the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio were designated National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Service. In 2000, the House was added to the public tours. In 2002, the Studio joined the Historic Artists. Homes and Studios group of Associate Sites administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, tours of the N.C. Wyeth House and Studio offer visitors the opportunity to experience not only the environment where Wyeth painted many of his memorable works of art, but also the home where he raised his extraordinarily creative children.

Tours are $5 in addition to regular museum admission, free to Brandywine Conservancy members. Offered each year from early April to late November, the tours are approximately one hour long at timed intervals, Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets must be purchased at the Brandywine River Museum Shop.

Located on U.S. Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, the Brandywine River Museum is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Christmas Day. Admission is $8 for adults; $5 for seniors ages 65 and over, students with I.D., and children; and free for children under six and Brandywine Conservancy members.

For more information, call 610‑388‑2700 or visit the museum's website at www.brandywinemuseum.org.


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Brandywine River Museum, U.S. Route 1 and PA Route 100
P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317