At Kuerner's Back Door

This, to me, feels just how it feels to be at Kuerner's. The Kuerner family history in Chadds Ford begins sometime after WW I, When they came to Pennsylvania from Germany. Karl Sr. and his wife Anna, their lives, their family and farm became the life long inspiration for the works of Andrew Wyeth. The world became aquainted with the Kuerner's in the book of paintings "Wyeth At Kuerner's". With all of that notoriety, they continued to live, what seems to be, a humble, hard-working, quiet life as Pennsylvania farmers. Their son Karl Jr., who during my 2012 visit was 85 years young, is still one of the hardest working people I have ever known. During what was the hottest summer on record, he was a great inspiration each day when I thought it might be too hot to coninue working. I could see or hear him out on his tractor, cutting or baling hay or see him through the open doors to the sweltering hay loft, throwing and stacking bales. His son Karl Kuerner III is also a farmer who works the land and cares for the animals while at the same time, is a well know and gifted artist and teacher. He grew up watching over Wyeth's shoulder as Wyeth put his families life to paper so beautifully. The farm, which they still work is now open to public tours through the Brandywine Museum in Chaddsford. My love for the family and farm began when I was given the book "Wyeth At Kuerner's"

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