A Run on the Bank — Windsor VT Style

By Mary Carter EAGLE TIMES CORRESPONDENT
CORNISH — In 1922, one in every four households had a print of NH artist Maxfield Parrish’s most celebrated work, ‘Daybreak.’ Parrish himself called the piece the epitome of his career. The original ‘Daybreak’ was purchased at a 2006 Christie’s auction by actor Mel Gibson’s then wife, Robyn, for $7.6 million.

A graduate of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts and Drexel Institute, Parrish began his life’s work illustrating books. In the late 1890s, with money advanced from his artist father, Stephen who resided in Cornish, Parrish purchased 19-acres from a Plainfield, NH, farmer.

In 1898, Maxfield and Lydia Parrish’s estate, The Oaks, took form. Parrish acted as his own architect. His lovely home would expand in pace with his growing income.

For years, Parrish ventured to Windsor, VT, for his weekly errands. He had a brass lock rendered from his own design there. Other trips would be to the grocery store, the post office, and to the Windsor County National Bank where “the girls,” as he lovingly called them, would help Parrish balance his messy checkbook.

In gratitude, Parrish gifted one of his paintings in the early 1950s to the bank. Originally entitled, ‘Summer in New Hampshire,’ but changed to ‘New Hampshire: Thy Templed Hills,’ the piece was proudly displayed in the bank’s lobby.

Decades later, on a cold winter night in 1999, a fax came through to the bank at closing time. An employee happened to see the dreadful news it contained. At 8 a.m. on Feb. 2, staff from the Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester, NH, would be there to take away Parrish’s painting. They had purchased it for half of its estimated value.

The bank employees surged into action, and the community readily joined in. Folks who had money in that bank threatened to withdraw every nickel. Enraged friends and neighbors volunteered to picket.

Windsor Police Lt. Vincent Jordan was called in for the most unique bank run of his life. Supplied with a 1967 letter from Maxfield Parrish’s son, Officer Jordan arrived at the then Vermont National Bank one hour before the arranged ‘art heist.’ Jordan was able to prove, by evidence of Maxfield Parrish Jr.’s note, that the artwork never belonged to the bank, it belonged to the people who worked there.

“The painting will remain in Windsor and stay in the branch,” the bank’s vice president of marketing pledged. Executive Robert Soucy summed it up by stating: “We should have done a much better job taking into account the feelings of the employees and the community.”

Retired staffers created a fund to ensure that Parrish’s gift never leaves the people it was intended for.

While he was sometimes referred to as “that artist fellow from across the river,” Maxfield Parrish had a bond with the folks of Windsor.

In 1923, he offered advice to his friends at the Old South Church. The historic Möeller organ in its Nutting’s cabinetry was being moved front and center to the congregation. Having studied architecture at Haverford College, Parrish shared ideas for a pediment that would disguise the exposed piping.

Parrish’s pediment remains in full and glorious view today at the church, 146 Main St., Windsor.

People’s United/M&T Bank is at 50 Main St., Windsor. To partake in a service or an event at the nearby Old South Church, visit oldsouthchurch.com.