Dodge Macknight 165th Birthday event

Join us for a very special celebration of the 165th Birth Anniversary of local painter, Dodge Macknight. Learn how he influenced the art scene in Sandwich, Boston and throughout the world.

ABOUT THE EVENT:  We will be joined by local historians who will share details about Macknight's life. Participants will learn about his contribution to the Boston arts scene, his travels and work throughout Europe, and how he came to settle in Sandwich. Macknight's work falls under post-impressionism, an art movement that succeeded the nineteenth-century impressionism movement. Macknight is regarded as America's first Modernist. 

The presentations will cover the following topics:

• Hannah Chew: "Dodge Macknight and his influence on the Boston Arts Scene"
• Julia Blakely: "The Spring Hill World of Dodge Macknight"
• June Murphy: "Dodge Macknight's contribution to the town of Sandwich and the Sandwich Public Library"

Registration required. Refreshments will be served and one lucky event participant will have an opportunity to win a matted print of one of Macknight’s paintings. Register TODAY!

ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKERS: 

Hannah Chew: Ms. Chew received her B.A. in History of Arts & Architecture from Harvard University. While at Harvard, she was  working at the Harvard Art Museums researching Dodge Macknight, and was on fellowship at the National Gallery of Art in DC when she wrote the information about Dodge Macknight in an article that is currently on the ISGM website. Ms. Chew is currently pursuing her Master Degree at Williams College, and is working at the Clark Art Institute. 

Julia Blakely: Ms. Blakely has undergraduate and master's degrees in art history from George Washington University, in addition to a master's of science from Columbia University, specializing in art librarianship and rare books. She has been involved in the University of Virginia's Rare Book School for years. After a long career in museum and research institutions in Washington, D.C., and working with private collectors, she settled in East Sandwich and became involved in volunteer work for the Cultural Council, the Historical Commission, and the Nye Museum.

Additionally, Ms. Blakely is curating an exhibition for the Sandwich Glass Museum and Historical Society, entitled "Dodge Macknight: A Life in Color." The show will run from November 15, 2025 through March 31, 2026.

June Anderson Murphy: Ms. Murphy “came home to Sandwich” in 2020 after discovering deep family roots across Cape Cod dating back to the 1600s, including strong ties to Sandwich and the Glass Factory era. June is a former Chair of the Sandwich Historical Commission, serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Sandwich Town Archives, she is a member of the Cape Cod Genealogical Society, and is a former business planner for the US Army. 

ABOUT DODGE MACKNIGHT: Dodge Macknight (1860-1950) was regarded by many of his contemporaries as America’s first modernist. In 1883, Macknight went to Paris and became friends with Vincent Van Gogh. He also had a show of his watercolors at John Singer Sargent’s studio in London in 1890.

About this same time, Macknight met and married Louise Queyrel, the governess of his friend John Russell. He and his new wife moved to Spain and had their first and only son, John Macknight. Macknight became a friend of Isabella Stewart Gardner, who bought many of his works.” Gardner hung them in a “Macknight Room” at her home on The Fenway, now the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

His connection to Sandwich starts with John H. Foster (1853 – 1935). In 1900, Macknight returned to this country and was visiting Cape Cod as a new subject for his watercolors. Through John Foster, Macknight bought the Spring Hill house at 260 Route 6A, formerly the Quaker school of Joseph and Mercy Wing. He called the house ‘The Hedges’ and made it his home for the rest of his life. Macknight’s only child, son John, a noted concert flutist, had been injured in World War I, and died in 1928. At this sorrow, Macknight, then 68, devoted himself to his beautiful garden at ‘The Hedges.’ 

He gave and loaned pictures to the Sandwich Public Library, and at his death in 1950, he left the bulk of his considerable estate to the Library, but with the income to go to Elise Queyrel during her lifetime. The house was later purchased by musician John Houston and his wife, artist Winnie (Fitch), who renamed the house ‘Hedgerow.’”

In honor of Dodge Macknight, the Sandwich Library dedicated a reading room in his name.

This event is sponsored by the Sandwich Public Library Board of Trustees in memory of Gail Zeltman Ravetz, with additional support from the Friends of the Sandwich Town Archives.

** Have you heard? The Sandwich Public Library is participating in the 2025 Booktober Library Crawl! The Booktober Library Crawl is a collaborative program between 25 OCLN Libraries beginning Wednesday, October 1 through Friday, October 31. Pick up your Booktober Library Crawl Passport starting October 1 and visit at least five libraries to be eligible for a special certificate! Become a super Booktober participant by visiting at least 20 libraries! 

 For a complete list of participating libraries, our website: malibraryroadtrip.com/booktober