OUR MISSION

The mission of Chesterwood is to preserve the site and its collections; to present the life and artistic achievements of Daniel Chester French, one of the foremost artists of the American Renaissance; and to foster public appreciation and interest in sculpture through an annual contemporary sculpture exhibition, artists’ talks and demonstrations, and artist residencies.

Chesterwood is the former summer home and studio of Daniel Chester French (1850-1931), sculptor of the Minute Man and Lincoln Memorial Abraham Lincoln statues and a leading artist of his era. The site, located in idyllic Stockbridge, Massachusetts, includes: French’s home and studio; museum collections of objects owned or created by him; outbuildings; and 122 acres of designed and wooded landscape. (The Chesterwood Archives are located at the Chapin Library at Williams College). The National Trust for Historic Preservation maintains the historic buildings, collections, and landscape as a museum for the public. A contemporary sculpture exhibition has been guest-curated and sited throughout the core of the property for four decades as well as an artists-in-residence program.