Newton Museum Aquires 'Significant,' Historic Painting Of Newton

NEWTON, MA – Historic Newton acquired a rare 19th century landscape painting that puts a spotlight on changes in the city, thanks to the donations of more than two dozen people, the museum announced Tuesday.

"This is the first large-scale painting of the Newton landscape in our collection," said Susan Abele, retired curator of The Jackson Homestead and Museum. "It is a painting that engages the viewer and presents an interpretation of the local landscape to be interrogated."

The painting is called "View of the Great Curve Near Newton Lower Falls on the Boston & Worcester Railroad," and is on display above the mantel in the entry hall at the Jackson Homestead, though a formal unveiling is planned for 5:30 Wed., Feb. 12.

Samuel Adams Hudson (who died in 1877), was a Boston-based landscape painter best known for his multi-part panorama of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, according to museum officials.

His painting of Newton shows a pastoral view of the city in 1852 before it became a city in 1874. It's set in Newton Lower Falls, looking north across what is now the Leo J. Martin golf course toward the Charles River and the train tracks.

Museum officials say the painting, which put a spotlight on changes to Charles River, the railroad and the farmsteads has special significance to Newton and its development.

Historic Newton said it plans to use the painting to interpret local history for visitors, including school groups.

Historic Newton has had its eye on the painting for a while, and even borrowed it for a year back in 2008 for an exhibition at the Jackson Homestead that explored William Jackson’s role in routing the Boston & Worcester Railroad through Newton, and the impact of the railroad on industry and suburban development in Newton.

In December, Historic Newton purchased the Hudson painting from Vose Galleries of Boston with the support of 37 donors, including Lee and Jean Fisher, the Kugener Family, Larry and Martha Bauer, and Jeffrey Hughes and Nancy Stauffer, according to a release.

"When studying the painting one is easily immersed in this early depiction of life along the Charles," said Jackson Homestead Trustee Lee Fisher in a statement. "It was rewarding to see so many people contribute toward ensuring that this painting, previously in private hands, will be viewable by the public going forward."

Fun facts about 1852: The same year the artist painted the painting, Massachusetts ruled that all school-age children must attend school. It was the year that "Uncle Tom's Cabin," by Harriet Beecher Stowe was first published in book form in Boston. That year was also the year a woman named Emma Snodgrass was arrested in Boston for wearing pants.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum, situated on 527 Washington St, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 617-796-1450 for more information.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).