Bennington Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1928 |
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| Location | 75 Main Street Bennington, Vermont, United States |
| Type | Art, history |
The Bennington Museum is a cool place where you can explore art and history! It's an important museum with amazing collections. You can find it at 75 Main Street in Bennington, Vermont, USA.
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Discovering the Bennington Museum
The museum's story began a long time ago, in 1852. That's when the Bennington Historical Association first started. This group wanted to preserve local history.
In 1923, the association bought an old church building. They fixed it up and opened it to the public in 1928. It was first called the Bennington Historical Museum. Over the years, the building grew bigger. New parts were added in 1938, 1960, 1974, and 1999.
In 1938, the museum's name changed. It became the Bennington Historical Museum and Art Gallery. This new name showed that it also had many artworks. Then, in 1954, it got its current name: the Bennington Museum.
The museum focuses on history and art from Vermont. It also includes nearby areas of New York and Massachusetts. In 1972, something special happened. The old schoolhouse that famous artist Grandma Moses went to was moved to the museum grounds. You can visit it there! The museum also has a library for people to research family history and local events.
What Can You See at the Museum?
The Bennington Museum has many permanent exhibits. These are displays that are always there. They show different parts of art and history.
Grandma Moses Gallery
This gallery is dedicated to the famous local artist "Grandma Moses". Her real name was Anna Mary Robertson Moses (1860-1961). The museum has the largest public collection of her paintings. She started painting later in life and became very well-known.
Fine Art Gallery
Here, you can see beautiful artworks by many artists. Some of these artists include Ralph Earl, Oliver Tarbell Eddy, and Ammi Phillips. You can also find works by William Morris Hunt and Rockwell Kent.
Bennington Modernism
This section shows artworks that were new and experimental. These "avant-garde" pieces are from the early 1950s to the mid-1970s. Artists like Helen Frankenthaler and Kenneth Noland have their works here. You can see how art changed during this time.
Gilded Age Vermont
Step back in time to the "Gilded Age" in Bennington. This period was from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. It was a time of great growth and fancy things. You can see paintings by William Morris Hunt. There's also a portrait by Frederick MacMonnies. Look for beautiful glass and metal items by Lewis Comfort Tiffany. You can even see an old parlor organ and a luxury car called the Martin Wasp. This car was made right in Bennington in 1924-25!
Military Gallery
Learn about the Battle of Bennington in this gallery. This was an important battle during the Revolutionary War. You can also see firearms made in Vermont from 1760 to 1900.
Bennington Pottery
Discover different types of pottery made in Bennington. This includes pieces from Norton Pottery and the United States Pottery Company. You can see Fenton pottery and "redware" too.
Textile Gallery
This gallery features amazing fabrics and flags. One special item is the Bennington flag. It's one of the oldest "stars and stripes" flags still around! You can also see a Green Mountain Boys flag. Another highlight is the Jane Stickle Quilt, which is very detailed.
Special Exhibits
Besides the permanent collections, the museum often has temporary exhibits. These displays change regularly. They cover many different subjects. This means there's always something new to see!
