Victoria Wyeth visits with Hickman residents after her presentation at the West Chester facility recently.
WEST CHESTER — Victoria Wyeth recently visited The Hickman Friends Senior Community here in the borough, where she spoke to a packed house of residents and guests about her family’s rich legacy of art.
The Wyeth family has a deep and lasting connection to The Hickman: two Wyeth paintings are on display at The Hickman: Andrew Wyeth’s painting “Cushing Window” was a gift from Andrew & Betsy Wyeth to the residence in 1960, and N.C. Wyeth’s painting “On the Good Ship Rose” was a gift from N.C. and Carolyn Wyeth in 1963. Andrew Wyeth’s maternal aunt, Esther Bockius, also lived at The Hickman from 1937 through the early 1950s. We spoke with Victoria about her family’s connection to the 124-year-old West Chester institution.
She was kind enough to answer a few questions following her presentation to the residents.
Q: What prompted you to accept the invitation to give a presentation to residents at The Hickman about your family’s art?
Victoria Wyeth: “I was so taken by the idea that my grandparents and great grandmother had donated my family’s work to The Hickman. I also was quite moved to know that my relatives had lived there at one point.”
Q: Were there any particular memorable/enjoyable moments from your visit with Hickman residents?
Victoria Wyeth: “I really enjoyed meeting all the residents. Their spirit & spunk was so fantastic.”
Q: You have done a great job of telling the story of your family and their legacy. What advice would you give to other people who want to do the same thing with their families?
Victoria Wyeth: “I would tell them to write EVERYTHING down – every thought, every memory, and every emotion.”
Victoria will be giving a benefit lecture on Saturday November 21st at the Westtown School, to benefit the Chadds Ford Historical Society. For more information about Victoria Wyeth and the Wyeth art legacy, please visit www.victoriawyeth.com. For more information about The Hickman Friends Senior Community of West Chester, a licensed personal care home for seniors serving Chester County since 1891, please visit www.thehickman.org.
