This dynamic exhibition explores how entrepreneurial women enabled Holley House to become the setting for the Cos Cob art colony, the first Impressionist community in Connecticut, and among the earliest in the nation.
The Centennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence in 1876 reignited national interest in the ideals of the Revolution and ushered in new opportunities for women. This enabled the Holley House proprietors to expand upon their domestic roles and become influential businesswomen who attracted the founders of American Impressionism.
The picturesque setting on the banks of the Mianus River and familial home environment created by Josephine Holley and her daughter Constant Holley MacRae ignited the creativity of the artists who were attracted to Holley House as a respite from their New York City dwellings. Cos Cob art colony founders and frequent boarders included John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir, Childe Hassam and Theodore Robinson who were instrumental in shaping American Impressionism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This exhibition has been curated by Kathleen Craughwell-Varda and is the second in a three-part exhibition series that kicked off in fall 2024 to explore the impact of the American Revolution in Greenwich. The third exhibition follows in April 2026.
RELATED PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Lectures, hands-on programs and docent-led tours will be offered throughout the exhibition.
In conjunction with the exhibition is a new Permanent Collections exhibit: Rediscovering the Cos Cob Art Colony. In 2025, Greenwich Historical Society received the final promised gifts from Susan G. and James T. Larkin’s personal collection of artworks by members of the Cos Cob art colony. Included in the gift is the etching that led to her becoming the foremost expert on American Impressionism in Connecticut—Old Mill, Branchville, Connecticut by John Henry Twachtman. This work and many other etchings, watercolors, and books by art colony authors from Susan Larkin’s personal collection are included in this exhibition in the Permanent Collections Gallery.
Join Greenwich Historical Society in celebrating America 250! Register for lectures, visit our exhibition and shop branded merchandise.
Looking for more events? America 250 | Greenwich is a series of town-wide initiatives that will take place from July 4, 2025 to July 4, 2026. This yearlong commemoration will feature historical exhibitions, community gatherings, and educational programs that highlight our shared history and inspire a collective future. Stay up-to-date on programs and events by following @greenwich250 on Instagram and visiting the Greenwich | America250 webpage.
