EVENT Summary

People arriving are greeted by Laurel

This year's "A Summer Day on the Bucklan Common" Southwick Studio & Carriage House Gallery opening featured, not only more paintings than last year (21), with the exception of just a handful of paintings was a complete turnaround from the previous year. Also different this year than the previous, is that we managed to cool both the Studio and gallery with as many as seven air-conditioners running full tilt. On a beautiful summer day, inside the Studio and gallery averaged mid-seventies temperatures.

Also new to this year's opening, was the new addition of four 24 x 36 sized posters featuring a collage of pictures from Woodward's own personal scrapbooks. They were organized by category and titled using the name of a Woodward painting. [You can view each poster by clicking on the image or caption below. The pdf will open in a new tab.]

"The Home Road"
pertained to Woodward's
childhood, parents, and
extended family as well
as, a number of the
places he lived through-
out his life into adulthood.

It includes a clipping from
the LA Herald Tribune the
day after his accident.

"Contentment" is devoted to
Woodward's other homes
and studios, aside from
Southwick. It included pic-
tures of the Pine Brook
Farm, Redgate Studio,
Burnham cottage, the
Hiram Woodward place,
the Little Shop, and of
course the Heath Pasture
Studio.

"Hills and Valleys" dem-
onstrates a number of
the ways Woodward
made his way around
the area. It included his
horse-drawn buggies and
back-boards, sleighs and
his cars... The 1926 Nash,
1929 Nash and of course
the 1936 Packard Phaeton
Touring car.

"High on a Hill" was a
multitude of pictures of
the Southwick Place, both
black-and-white and
color, from many different
locations and time periods
(including its renovations)
throughout the property.
Some of these pictures of
never before been seen and
were a huge hit.

We would be remiss to not mention that in many of the pictures of Woodward were taken by his close friend F. Earl Williams. One of the only people Woodward felt comfortable enough with two allow pictures of him in his chair. Williams was a photography enthusiast and the rare color pictures we have are from some of the earliest days of color film (1940). Kodachrome, Kodak's first color film offering, was not available to the consumer market until 1936.

Brian pointing out to the audience,
RSW's mother in a family picture

In a first for the website staff, Brian Charles Miller presented three brief presentations offering new information and perspectives on Woodward from three aspects of his life, first career, then social, and finishing with an intimate look at Woodward's personal values and perspective. Career concentrated on the two events that interupted or delayed RSW's career, the death of his older brother Ory and his Redgate fire. Then culminated in his triumphs, first at the 1930 Boston Tercentennial Exhibition and the 1933 Chicago World Fair. The social presentation led the audience through RSW's homes and their use to entertain guest and the company he kept. The personal talk was an intimate look at how RSW's views and values formed in his adolescence that carried him through his tragic accident and ultimately a triumphant career and fulfilling life.

Brian using his hands to make a point

The success of the day would not have been possible, if not for the many volunteers and organizations that contributed. It is with the greatest gratitude and appreciation that we thank everyone involved, our wonderful docents:
★   Sally
★   Jonesie
★   Helen
★   Lee
★   Janet
★   Susan


The terrific support staff that handled foot traffic, greeted people and provided technical support:
★   Peter
★   Walt
★   Jim

A special thanks to Muriel Shippe and the Buckland Historical Society, as well as, the organizers and volunteers of the "A Summer Day on Buckland Common" event for all their support!

And of course last but certainly not least because none of this would be possible without the graciousness and generosity of the Purinton family... Doc, Barbara, Laurel, and Larch. We are so fortunate and find no greater joy than sharing Woodward with all of you. Thank you all so much for your support!

Front Row Left to right: Barbara & Dr. Mark "Doc" Purinton
Second Row Left to right: Larch Purinton, Janet Gerry, Laurel Purinton-Kearns, Walter Kearns
Back Row Left to right: Peter Weidt, Brian Charles Miller