Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 4, 1940

Arthur’s last year to celebrate with Firecrackers. Evening our usual celebration with the “House on – Fire” as a grand finale. Spent the morning working in, & weeding the garden –

Afternoon building the house.

Evening Berlins come out for a visit – Ryans down – Berlins leave after twelve – at 21.00 AM (sic). Fire alarm – a ruddy glow to the southeast. B & I go, — a barn south of Blossom –

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 4, 1940

[Twenty years later, daughter Martha painted the annual “House-on-Fire” for an article written by her sister, Sally Burchfield Ferris (Hill) titled, “The Burchfields’ Favorite Town—Gardenville, New York.” Ford Times 52, 11 (Nov. 1960): 2-9.]