CHADDS FORD, PA.- The Chadds Ford studio where Andrew Wyeth, one of the most beloved and significant artists in American history, painted many of his most important works of art, will open for tours in the summer of 2012. Given to the Brandywine River Museum by the artist's wife, Betsy James Wyeth, the studio has undergone careful restoration to preserve its appearance when it was used by the late artist.

Wyeth painted in the studio from 1940 until 2008. Thousands of works of art are associated with this studio, including those inspired by the farms and open space of the Brandywine Valley, and the Brandywine River that runs through Chadds Ford and the surrounding countryside.

The Brandywine River Museum has worked with a team of specialized architects, trained in historic preservation, to maintain the historic integrity of the building and its legacy as the artist's retreat. Visitors will see where America's beloved artist created some of his most iconic works of art and learn about his creative process on guided tours. His library, photos, film collection, fencing gear, military miniatures collection, costumes and props are among the many fascinating objects that add to this glimpse into the private world of Andrew Wyeth.

Built as a schoolhouse in 1875, the building also served as Wyeth's home for two decades. He and his wife Betsy moved in shortly after their marriage in 1940, and lived there until 1961. Life and art were entwined as Andrew's career soared. They had two sons, Nicholas and Jamie. The building also served as Jamie's first studio where he painted many of his early works, including Draft Age and his posthumous portrait of John F. Kennedy.

Andrew Newell Wyeth (1917-2009) was born in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of the internationally renowned painter and illustrator N.C. Wyeth and his wife Carolyn Bockius Wyeth. Theirs was a creative family: sisters Henriette Wyeth Hurd and Carolyn were also painters; sister Ann Wyeth McCoy was a composer; and brother Nathaniel was an engineer and inventor with many patents to his credit.