A folk artist with a modern twist, Robert Darr Wert (1915-1966) was a Gill resident specializing in screen-printing. With his art adorning homes throughout the country in the 1950’s and 1960’s, these early Americana designs with the cocky little rooster trademark and the words “by hand, robert darr wert” can be found on many decorative items such as wall hangings, tea towels, table runners and ceramic tiles. He worked from his Country Prints studio located in a picturesque farmhouse on his 150-acre farm on River Road.

Fritz Kaufhold’s son Peter has generously shared information and memories as have the Werts’ daughter Sara and former Country Prints workers. Wert Collector and researcher Pete Mars in Rhode Island intends to visit to help us better understand what images in our inventory are unique and to share his knowledge with interested residents.

GHC members are developing this exciting project that describes and documents Wert’s colorful designs. GHC continues to accumulate information and textile images from Wert’s Country Prints with a number of Gill residents having already shared photographs of their Wert items for GHC’s inventory.

If you would like to add photographs of the work in your home, GHC is delighted to add them to its inventory and plans for upcoming displays. As GHC plans form, we welcome your ideas. Please contact Kit Carpenter at 413-863-2505 or Pam Shoemaker at pshoe27@gmail.com.