Be among the first to see Portrait of a Woman, a piece that will mark the start of a gallery of original Peck portraits at Lombard Historical Society's Sheldon Peck Homestead. Light refreshments will be served.

Sarah Richardt, Executive Director of the Lombard Historical Society, is excited and proud to have an original Sheldon Peck portrait hanging in the Sheldon Peck Homestead. Acquiring originals of Sheldon Peck paintings is a collection objective of the Board of Management for the Sheldon Peck Homestead. The painting was sold at Christie’s auction house to R. Merta Americana and then acquired by a friend of the society on behalf of the society with the expectation that the Society will reimburse the donor. Half of the amount has already been raised, and the Society needs to continue to raise the remaining funds to pay off the loan used to reimburse the donor.

Referred to as Portrait of a Woman, the c.1828 painting is a half portrait of a woman with a direct forthright gaze and a spare, dark background reminiscent of Peck’s early Vermont period. The subject is wearing an intricately waved bonnet and caplet embellished with a decorative motif usually referred to as a rabbit’s paw, or a rabbit track. Done in oil on a 24” X 20” wood panel, the portrait relates to Peck’s early works of family members, especially his sister-in-law, Mary Parker Peck, done shortly after he married in 1824.

This Open House is an opportunity for guests to learn about the art and legacy of Sheldon Peck, view the portrait and homestead as well as the other new exhibits currently in place. Guests will also be able to learn about ways they might support the Society, as well as other exciting activities, exhibits and events that are planned.

The Lombard Historical Society celebrates Lombard's heritage by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Lombard and operates the Victorian Cottage Museum, the Carriage House and the Society’s Archives at 23 W. Maple Street, and the Sheldon Peck Homestead, a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. Both the Victorian Cottage and Peck Homestead host activities and groups and are open for tours several days a week.

The Sheldon Peck Homestead is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 – 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 -2 pm. For more information about this event, please visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone 630.629.1885.