MacDowell: An American Artists' Colony

In 1896 Edward MacDowell and his wife Marian purchased a farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He was, in his time, the most highly regarded composer in America.

MacDowell died in 1908 at the age of 46. After his death Marian built a number of one-room studio cottages at the Peterborough farm. She invited poets, playwrights, composers, painters, authors and sculptors to come and make art.

And, over the years, artists came. Many who later became famous were not recognized when they first came to MacDowell. Some of the greatest art of the twentieth century was created in the woods of Peterborough, New Hampshire. In fact, more than 50 MacDowell colonists have won Pulitzer Prizes.

This historical documentary includes filmed interviews with Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein. It gives us an inside view of the Colony and how it works. It is also the story of Marian MacDowell and how she turned 450 acres of New Hampshire farmland into the most creative piece of ground in America.

Approximately 1 hour, this New Hampshire Public Television special is available in VHS format for $24.95. To order please call 1-800-20NHPTV or 603-868-1100.