SUBCHAPTER LIX–DDD—WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 101–485, which enacted this subchapter, originally established the Weir Farm National Historic Site, which is listed in a table of National Historic Sites under section 320101 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs. The amendments made by Pub. L. 116–305 effectively redesignated the site as the Weir Farm National Historical Park, after which the text of Pub. L. 101–485 was set out as this subchapter.

§410ffff. Definitions

As used in this subchapter—

(1) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) The term "historical park" means the Weir Farm National Historical Park established in section 410ffff–2 of this title.

(Pub. L. 101–485, §2, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1171; Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(1), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4917.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Par. (2). Pub. L. 116–305 substituted "historical park" for "historic site" and "National Historical Park" for "National Historic Site".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–305, §1, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4917, provided that: "This Act [amending this section and sections 410ffff–2 to 410ffff–4 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the 'Weir Farm National Historical Park Redesignation Act'."

Short Title of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–449, title II, §201, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4756, provided that: "This title [amending section 410ffff–2 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 410ffff–2 of this title] may be cited as the 'Weir Farm National Historic Site Expansion Act of 1994'."

Short Title

Pub. L. 101–485, §1, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1171, provided that: "This Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the 'Weir Farm National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1990'."

Designation of Weir Farm National Historical Park; References

Pub. L. 116–305, §2(a), (c), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4917, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Weir Farm National Historic Site shall be known and designated as the 'Weir Farm National Historical Park'.

"(c) References.—Any reference in any law, regulation, document, record, map, or other paper of the United States to the Weir Farm National Historic Site shall be considered to be a reference to the 'Weir Farm National Historical Park'."

§410ffff–1. Findings and purposes

(a) Findings

The Congress finds that—

(1) the Weir Farm in Connecticut is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic site associated with major American artists and several artistic developments;

(2) the Weir Farm, acquired in 1882 by J. Alden Weir, a founder and principal exponent of American Impressionism, has been continuously occupied by working artists and their families who have maintained its significance and integrity as a historic site; and

(3) the Weir Farm, including the house, barns, studios, pond, field, and woods thereon, and the approximately 113 acres of adjacent natural areas owned by the Nature Conservancy and the Town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, provide opportunities for illustrating and interpreting cultural themes of our Nation's heritage and provide opportunities for public use and enjoyment.

(b) Purposes

The purposes of this subchapter are—

(1) to preserve a significant site of the tradition of American Impressionism;

(2) to maintain the integrity of a setting that inspired artistic expression and encourages public enjoyment; and

(3) to offer opportunities for the inspirational benefit and education of the American people.

(Pub. L. 101–485, §3, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1171.)

§410ffff–2. Establishment of Weir Farm National Historical Park

(a) In general

There is established, as a unit of the National Park System, the Weir Farm National Historical Park in the State of Connecticut.

(b) Description

The historical park shall consist of—

(1) the approximately 2-acre core parcel containing the Weir house, studio, and barn;

(2) the approximately 60 acres and improvements thereon owned by the State of Connecticut;

(3) the approximately 2-acre parcel of land situated in the town of Wilton, Connecticut, designated as lot 18 on a map entitled "Revised Map of Section I, Thunder Lake at Wilton, Connecticut, Scale l'=100', October 27, 1978, Ryan and Faulds Land Surveyors, Wilton, Connecticut", that is on file in the office of the town clerk of the town of Wilton, and therein numbered 3673; and

(4) the approximately 0.9-acre western portion of a parcel of land situated in the town of Wilton, Connecticut, designated as Tall Oaks Road on the map referred to in paragraph (3).

(c) General depiction

The parcels referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) are all as generally depicted on a map entitled "Boundary Map, Weir Farm National Historic Site, Fairfield County Connecticut", dated June 1994. Such map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(d) Acquisition of land for visitor and administrative facilities; limitations

(1) Acquisition

(A) In general

To preserve and maintain the historic setting and character of the historical park, the Secretary may acquire not more than 15 additional acres for the development of visitor and administrative facilities for the historical park.

(B) Proximity

The property acquired under this subsection shall be within Fairfield County.

(C) Management

The acquired property shall be included within the boundary of the historical park and shall be managed and maintained as part of the historical park.

(2) Development

(A) Maintaining natural character

The Secretary shall keep development of the property acquired under paragraph (1) to a minimum so that the character of the acquired property will be similar to the natural and undeveloped landscape of the property described in subsection (b).

(B) Treatment of previously developed property

Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall either prevent the Secretary from acquiring property under paragraph (1) that, prior to the Secretary's acquisition, was developed in a manner inconsistent with subparagraph (A), or require the Secretary to remediate such previously developed property to reflect the natural character described in subparagraph (A).

(3) Agreements

Prior to and as a prerequisite to any development of visitor and administrative facilities on the property acquired under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall enter into one or more agreements with the local governmental entity that, in accordance with applicable State law, has jurisdiction over any property acquired under paragraph (1)(A) for the purposes of—

(A) developing the parking, visitor, and administrative facilities for the historical park; and

(B) managing bus traffic to the historical park and limiting parking for large tour buses to an offsite location.

(Pub. L. 101–485, §4, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1171; Pub. L. 103–449, title II, §203, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4756; Pub. L. 105–363, §1(a), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3296; Pub. L. 111–11, title VII, §7102, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1190; Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(2), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4917.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(2)(A), substituted "Historical Park" for "Historic Site" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(2)(B), substituted "Historical Park" for "Historic Site".

Subsecs. (b), (d). Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(2)(C), substituted "historical park" for "historic site" wherever appearing.

2009—Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–11, §7102(1), substituted "within Fairfield County." for "contiguous to or in close proximity to the property described in subsection (b)."

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–11, §7102(2), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall keep development of the property acquired under paragraph (1) to a minimum so that the character of the acquired property will be similar to the natural and undeveloped landscape of the property described in subsection (b)."

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 111–11, §7102(3), in introductory provisions, substituted "the local governmental entity that, in accordance with applicable State law, has jurisdiction over any property acquired under paragraph (1)(A)" for "the appropriate zoning authority of the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and the town of Wilton, Connecticut,".

1998—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–363 added subsec. (d).

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–449, §203(a)(2), struck out concluding provisions which read as follows: "both as generally depicted on a map entitled 'Land Ownership Map, Weir Farm Historic Site', Figure 5, dated October 1989, as contained in the National Park Service Weir Farm Suitability/Feasibility Study, February, 1990. Such map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service."

Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 103–449, §203(a)(1), (3), added pars. (3) and (4).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–449, §203(b), added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Purpose

Pub. L. 103–449, title II, §202, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4756, provided that: "The purpose of this title [see Short Title of 1994 Amendment note set out under section 410ffff of this title] is to preserve the last remainingundeveloped parcels of the historic Weir Farm that remain in private ownership by including the parcels within the boundary of the Weir Farm National Historic Site."

§410ffff–3. Acquisition of real and personal property and services

(a) Real and personal property

The Secretary is authorized to acquire by donation, exchange, or purchase with donated or appropriated funds, the lands and improvements within the boundaries of the historical park, except that any such lands and improvements owned by the State of Connecticut may be acquired only by donation. The Secretary may also acquire by the same methods personal property associated with, and appropriate for, the interpretation of the historical park: Provided, That the Secretary may acquire works of art associated with the Weir family, J. Alden Weir, and other artists who lived at or visited the site only by donation or purchase with donated funds.

(b) Other property, funds, and services

The Secretary is authorized to accept and use donated funds, property, and services to carry out this subchapter.

(Pub. L. 101–485, §5, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1172; Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(3), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4917.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–305 substituted "historical park" for "historic site" in two places.

§410ffff–4. Administration of historical park

(a) In general

The Secretary shall administer the historical park in accordance with this subchapter and the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including the Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.),¹ and the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national historic significance, and for other purposes", approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.),¹ except that the Secretary shall take no action with respect to the 60 acres owned by the State of Connecticut within the boundaries of the historical park until such time as the State has transferred all right, title, and interests therein to the Secretary.

(b) Cooperative agreements

(1) The Secretary may consult and enter into cooperative agreements with the Weir Farm Heritage Trust, the State of Connecticut, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and other organizations and groups in the development, presentation and funding of art exhibits, resident artist programs, and other appropriate activities related to the preservation, development, and use of the historical park.

(2) The Secretary may consult and enter into cooperative agreements with the Nature Conservancy and the towns of Ridgefield and Wilton for the purpose of coordinating activities on the historical park with activities on the Nature Conservancy's Weir Preserve and lands adjoining the historical park owned by the towns.

(c) Exhibits

The Secretary may display, and accept for the purpose of display, works of art associated with J. Alden Weir, the Weir Farm, and the American Impressionist movement, as may be necessary for the interpretation of the historical park.

(d) General management plan

Within 2 complete fiscal years after October 31, 1990, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate a general management plan for the historical park. The plan shall be prepared in accordance with section 100502 of title 54 and other applicable law.

(Pub. L. 101–485, §6, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1172; Pub. L. 116–305, §2(b)(4), Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4917.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Act entitled "An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes", approved August 25, 1916, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 25, 1916, ch. 408, 39 Stat. 535, popularly known as the National Park Service Organic Act, which enacted sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 100101 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs. Sections 1 to 4 of the Act were repealed and restated as section 1865(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of Title 54 by Pub. L. 113–287, §§3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.

The Act entitled "An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes", approved August 21, 1935, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 21, 1935, ch. 593, 49 Stat. 666, known as the Historic Sites, Buildings and Antiquities Act and also as the Historic Sites Act of 1935, which enacted sections 461 to 467 of this title. The Act was repealed and restated as section 1866(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and sections 102303 and 102304 and chapter 3201 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs, by Pub. L. 113–287, §§3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54.

Codification

In subsec. (d), "section 100502 of title 54" substituted for "section 12(b) of the Act of August 18, 1970 (16 U.S.C. 1a–1 through 1a–7)" on authority of Pub. L. 113–287, §6(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272, which Act enacted Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–305 substituted "historical park" for "historic site" in section catchline and wherever appearing in text.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§410ffff–5. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, except that not more than $4,000,000 may be appropriated for the acquisition of real and personal property.

(Pub. L. 101–485, §7, Oct. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 105–363, §1(b), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3296.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Pub. L. 105–363 substituted "$4,000,000" for "$1,500,000".