...studio was destroyed by fire. It is earliest painting days I restored milk house which he called Redgate became his first workshop. It was located close to the road at Pine Brook Farm, the home of his uncle Bert and aunt Tella Wells in Buckland. Here most of his illumination work in watercolor and pen and ink was done. Here he regained the physical strength and confidence which were to carry him through the years of success and trouble. Here he enjoyed a renewal of family ties and brought special joy to seven young Wells cousins in the big brick house. Tragedy struck on Christmas eve in 1915 when an overheated wood stove caused the fire which completely destroyed the building and its contents.

By this time Woodward had established his own home at the so-called Hiram Woodward place a quarter-mile southwest of Redgate. With the help of neighbors, cousins, and local carpenters he now went to work to convert a large shed at the back of his house into a second studio. Here much of his early oil painting was done. A few years later, about 1925, he acquired in ancient mill property a short distance from his home and restored it for use as an occasional painting studio. This beloved spot was also perfect for his relaxation and occasional outdoor picnic, one of his favorite recreations. This place is intact today with its gray weathered boards and it's a little mill stream, and is owned by the Woodward's cousins. The building itself houses the antique shop of his cousin Florence Haeberle. In 1934 his home and studio were destroyed in a fire caused by lightning. Most paintings and some household articles were saved through the alertness of the Gardner Goulds, his  neighbors   across   the street,

with the help of nearby relatives and passers-by. The barn, some distance away, was saved and has been converted into a residence. The present owners are the William Reddy's. Following his second fire Woodward acquired the so-called Southwick place at Buckland Center 2 miles Southwest of the lost property. Extensive restoration was necessary to provide suitable living quarters and an adequate studio, and almost 2 years elapsed before the place was ready for occupancy. During the interim he obtained, through the generosity of the Buell family, the use of their large house in Shelburne Falls Village. This house was at one time the home of another well-known area artist, Edwin Alonzo Elmer. During 1936 the renovations at the Buckland Center house were complete and he established his household and what proved to be his final home and studio. From the studio came most of his famous window paintings. This is how the home of his friend and...

[IMAGE, upper right]: Woodward in buggy

[IMAGE CAPTION]: Woodward painting from his buggy on Bassy Hill

[IMAGE, lower right]: Woodward and his Packard

[IMAGE CAPTION]: Painting from his Packard