Willard Richardson
Willard Richardson was an artist, a farmer, and a storyteller. He was born in 1917 in Harrisville’s Eastview neighborhood, in a house that had been in his family for generations. Willard’s grandfather was Moses Eaton Jr., one of the most famous stencilers in 19th century New England, and the house Willard lived in is now known as the Moses Eaton Jr. House.
Willard’s father was a farmer and orchardist, and Willard and his siblings grew up helping on the farm and roaming the fields and forests of Eastview. Willard also became a farmer, and later began painting, carving, and making silver jewelry which he sold from his home.
The Historic Harrisville Archives would like to share videos of two presentations by Willard Richardson. In both, Willard is describing his “Painted Planes”—wooden planes that he painted with scenes from his childhood. The first video (broken up here into three parts) was filmed at the Harris Center on October 13, 1983. The second video (also in three parts) came to the Archives recently, thanks to the generosity of Carla Richardson, and was filmed at the Sargent Camp by Richard Neville in 1983.
If anyone is able to help identify any of the people in the videos below please contact Katy Burchett at hharchivekaty@gmail.com
Willard Richardson at the Harris Center, 1983
Willard Richardson Presentation Part 1
Williard Richardson Presentation Part 2
Willard Richard Exhibition (no sound)
Willard Richardson at Sargent Camp in Harrisville, 1983
Part 1: The Presentation
Part 2: Q & A
Part 3: The Art (no sound)