Greenwich Historical Society Acquires Painting By Founder Of Cos Cob Art Colony

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Historical Society has acquired "Tidal Dam and Bridge, Cos Cob," a pastel by American Impressionist Childe Hassam, expanding its collection of works connected to the Cos Cob art colony.

The artwork was donated by a Greenwich family in memory of their son, André, according to an announcement from the historical society.

The acquisition follows recent donations of Impressionist works by Greenwich resident Susan Larkin, which together add to the Historical Society’s holdings related to the Cos Cob Impressionist community.

"We are deeply grateful for this gift of a major Hassam work," said Greenwich Historical Society Executive Director and CEO Carol Cadou, in a news release. "Our status as a National Historic Landmark stems from the Holley House being at the heart of the Cos Cob art colony—the first Impressionist community in Connecticut and a cradle of American Impressionism. The Hassam pastel enables us to expand on that legacy, which is a powerful connection to a defining moment in our nation's history."

Hassam was a founding member of the Cos Cob art colony and was influenced by the landscape along the Mianus River’s Lower Landing, according to the historical society.

From 1894 to 1917, he had extended stays at Holley Boarding House, now known as the Bush-Holley House, where he worked in a range of mediums, including oils, pastels and etchings. The river, nearby shipyards and the Holley House were recurring subjects in his work.

The newly acquired pastel dates to one of Hassam’s most productive periods. During an extended stay in 1902 with his wife, Maud, Hassam produced 20 pastels and several oil paintings, including the depiction of the local tidal dam, earthen works and bridge.

The pastel complements an etching of the same scene already in the historical society's collection, offering additional insight into the historic setting.

"These two different mediums, viewed together, provide an intimate and exacting look at the composition of the historic neighborhood," said Greenwich Historical Society Curator Kathy Craughwell-Varda in a news release. "Considering there aren’t any photographs of the area, we are now able to understand the landscape as the artists saw it, thus adding to the historical record."

"With our year end annual appeal, the timing of this donation is especially significant," added Greenwich Historical Society Director of Marketing and Communications Dianne Niklaus. "There are many ways the community can support the Historical Society’s mission, including tangible property and artworks, legacy or promised gifts and monetary donations."

The Greenwich Historical Society encourages the public to view the new acquisitions along with its current exhibition, The Holley Boarding House: Inspiring American Impressionism, on display through March 8, 2026, which explores the origins of American Impressionism and the influence of the Cos Cob art colony.