Southold Historical Society: Painter & Illustrator Thomas Currie-Bell

COLLECTIONS CORNER

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Thomas Currie-Bell (1873-1946) was the husband of Southold Historical Society’s benefactor and founder, Ann Currie-Bell. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and studied there at the Royal Scottish Academy and in London at the Royal Academy of Art, where he specialized in portraiture.

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He met Ann Hallock in France in 1928. He was there painting, and she was traveling with her parents. The following year, he came to Southold, and they were married. He built a studio filled with windows and skylights on Hallock family property at Paradise Point. As both a painter and a magazine illustrator, he met with considerable success and exhibited widely, both in Europe and throughout the U.S. Ann and Tom wintered in Florida, where his work was included in many art exhibits. His passion was racing his boat, the “Bluebell,” leading to his local nickname, “the Skipper.” Ann and Tom Currie-Bell had no children. But she was deeply committed to the history of Southold. She was both visionary and generous, leaving her charming Victorian home, its contents, and its adjacent property to create and endow the Southold Historical Society. The house and its property, along with Tom’s paintings in our collection, are her important and enduring legacy in our town.

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Need to catch up?

Check out our past Collections Corner highlights here!

https://www.southoldhistoricalsociety.org/collections-corner

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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In accordance with the governor’s executive order, Southold Historical Society, the Museum Gift Shop and the Treasure Exchange remain closed at this time.

From all of us at Southold Historical Society, thank you for your continued support.

For any questions, please email info@southoldhistorical.org.

Looking to donate to Southold Historical Society?

Click the link below!

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