Chadds Ford has once again
achieved national recognition for its place in history. In this case, it’s art
history.
As reported, the Kuerner Farm
on Ring Road has been designated a National Historic Landmark because of the
artwork of Andy Wyeth who used the farm as subject, backdrop and inspiration
for many of his works.
The farm is one of several
National Landmarks in the area, and the second Chadds Ford property to gain
that distinction because of the Wyeth family. The N.C. Wyeth home and studio
became landmarks 14 years ago. The 10 square mile area of the Brandywine
Battlefield is also a National Historic Landmark.
While it’s fun to point at
one’s hometown with pride and say, “I live in the same place the Wyeths made
famous,” that’s really not much more than name-dropping and living vicariously
through someone else’s achievements.
At the same time, though, we
can take heart and learn from the example set by those who achieved. Granted,
most people will not garner the same reputation as N.C., Andy or, now Jamie
Wyeth, but what can be learned is dedication to one’s art, craft or other
talent. Develop and nurture those abilities, those gifts.
It’s not just those with
special talents from whom we can learn. Consider the first Karl Kuerner. Karl
Sr. was a German immigrant who, after serving in the German Army during WWI,
came to the U.S.—a former enemy country—to build a new and better life. It took
courage, much more courage than it took Andy Wyeth to paint.
What those two men share,
however, is that dedication to do the best they could for themselves and their
families. In the process, they wound up doing for their community as a
by-product of their efforts.
There’s nothing new in all
this, but it helps to be reminded once in a while. The otherwise average person
living or working next door might be considered one of the great ones tomorrow.
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Richard, thank you for your bold insight. You could write an entire essay on your one sentence…
“While it’s fun to point at one’s hometown with pride and say, “I live in the same place the Wyeths made famous,” that’s really not much more than name-dropping and living vicariously through someone else’s achievements.”
Pardon me while I rant…but you just struck a nerve!
After living in the village for 31 years and volunteering for all four museums and being president of the board of two, you just said it all. People want to live in Chadds Ford for the name (and pay a premium for that in many ways) but when push comes to shove, will not support our non-profits in the way they should (and that can mean financially too). The Chadds Ford postal address now stretches to south of Kennett Square in Kennett Township, but their loyalties more often face Greenville and the society of northern Delaware.
And if you look at the volunteers at the Brandywine River Museum, the Brandywine Battlefield, the Chadds Ford Historical Society and the Sanderson Museum- I mean why is it always the same core of people who have been there for decades and who do all the work? From all of your years covering Chadds Ford, you know what and who I mean. Currently, none of the Executive Board at the Sanderson Musuem have Chadds Ford addresses.
Yes- God bless the Kuerners and all the people like them in the Ford. They have always been honest, hard-workers and continue to do so. They do not seek fame and fortune, but only to be true to their spirits. There are not enough of them in our Village.
OK- that’s enough of my mouth.
~Your former Chadds Ford Friend
Now in the Little House in the Big Woods in West Goshen