N.C. Wyeth Research Foundation and Reading Libraries
is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization
under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501 C)(3).
Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
The N. C. Wyeth Research Foundation and Reading Libraries, formed in September 2018, has as its mission to engage the public in the life, art, and legacy of N.C. Wyeth, America’s pre-eminent 20th Century illustrator from 1902 to 1945 during the Golden Age of Illustration.
The Foundation will acquire, preserve and make available to scholars, historians, and the general public, research materials and programmatic content at several USA locations, the most important of which will be the personal collection of wildlife artist E. Douglas Allen, Jr. of New Jersey, housed within the 18th century home of horticultural giant John Denys Zirngiebel, grandfather of NC Wyeth, at 178 South Street, Needham.
The so-called Zirngiebel-Wyeth homestead is incredibly fortunate to receive the world’s most comprehensive library of Wyeth illustrated books, calendars, posters, and other ephemera containing the images created by this famous son of Needham born and raised on South Street. Many images of heroism were painted at this location, where the artist and his wife and 5 children lived from 1921-1923.
“Paul Revere’s Ride” by NC Wyeth was painted here to illustrate the famous poem by Henry W. Longfellow. who is said to have known his grandparents and to have visited them in this Needham house.
Wyeth’s parents lived right next door where he spent his first 20 years. Even when living far away felt, NC Wyeth felt nostalgic about South Street on the Charles River and wrote to his parents nearly every week, sometimes daily, for decades.
Wyeth had 5 living children when he moved back to Needham when the youngest, Andrew Wyeth, was only 4. His longing to return to Needham was turned on its head two years later when the children were homesick to their childhood home and woodlands in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.
NC Wyeth lived to the age of 63 when his untimely death occurred in 1945 in Chadds Ford, PA when his car stalled in the path of an oncoming train killing instantly both himself and his namesake grandson, age 3.
“blind pew” by NC Wyeth was painted in Pennsylvania before he moved back to Needham. Robert Lewis Stevenson’s adventure book “Treasure Island“, Made Wyeth famous famous worldwide in 1911. Note his Needham childhood home next door as the backdrop inspiration for this painting.
Exciting changes are coming. We hope you’ll consider a donation.
Ready to take action and help make this renovation possible? We invite you to donate to the vital renovation so that everyone is able to experience the Wyeth legacy.
The outside lift tower concept is based on Zirngiebel pansy fields water tower c. 1900 (pictured below). Interior layout amended where indicated for convenient access by wheelchair. By Needham Architect Mark Gluesing.
“I hope the time will never come when I shall feel satisfied. To reach the goal of one's ambitions must be tragic.”
— N.C. Wyeth