Margaret French Cresson (1889-1973):
Her Artistic Life & Legacy at Chesterwood
Margaret French Cresson standing in the studio at Chesterwood, 1934.
Photo courtesy Chesterwood Archives/Chapin Library, Williams College.
This exhibition celebrates tHE only child of mary adams french (1859-1939) and Daniel chester french (1850-1931)
Margaret French Cresson was an accomplished sculptor, learning at the feet of her father, and she was the keeper of Chesterwood after her parents passed, ensuring its transfer to the National Trust for Historic Preservation as an historic site that preserved her father’s legacy.
The exhibition features photographs of Cresson as she grew up at Chesterwood, from a young girl modeling for her father, to an artist working in the Studio alongside her father, and later as owner of the property. There are also examples of Cresson’s sculpture, some of which can be seen on view at Chesterwood.
While visiting this exhibition, which is hosted on the collections portal of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, you can explore other National Trust’s historic sites!
Online exhibition created by Dana Pilson, Curatorial Researcher
ALSO SEE: “AN OASIS OF BEAUTY” by Julie McCarthy, artist-in-residence 2014
Artist Julie McCarthy explored Margaret French Cresson’s life at Chesterwood through an installation in the residence. The exhibition is documented here.