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RECOLLECTIONS OF RSW by Jack Fontaine



"My first recollection of Robert Strong Woodward is of him riding in his Packard automobile with its top down accompanied by his chauffeur and wearing a Coon-Skin Coat - this was in winter. Looking very smart.

I vaguely recall a fire which I believe occurred on a 4th of July in his studio on the Buckland Road. I can recall riding by it the following day and it was a scene of complete devastation.

I do not recall how I first met him but I believe it was through my father when he was talking to him, as we use to see him waiting in his car. Later on, when I would see him in the business area of Shelburne Falls, I would talk with him and he invited me to visit him at his studio. During the last year at Arms Academy, the High School in Shelburne Falls, I had my first car and stopped in at his studio which was now in Buckland Center located in what was a barn. It was very interesting and I recall visiting with him. There were several windows looking out at a beautiful country scene - similar to one of his paintings, probably the idea of that scene was the subject of one of his painting. I visited with him several times and he was most interesting to talk with."

JF
2009