Cyrus Dallin Art Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Cyrus Dallin Art Museum in the Jefferson Cutter House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Jefferson Cutter House in 2019
Location in Massachusetts Show map of Massachusetts Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	611 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, Massachusetts
Built	1830
Architectural style	Greek Revival, Federal
MPS	Arlington MRA
NRHP reference No.	85001028
Added to NRHP	January 23, 1992

The Cyrus Dallin Art Museum (CDAM) is in Arlington, Massachusetts, USA. It shows the amazing artworks of American sculptor Cyrus Dallin. He was also an educator and worked for Indigenous rights. Dallin lived and worked in Arlington for over 40 years.

He is famous for his sculptures across the US. Some of his well-known works include The Scout in Kansas City, Missouri. He also created The Signal of Peace in Chicago. In Boston, he is known for Appeal to the Great Spirit and the Paul Revere Monument.

About the Museum

The Cyrus Dallin Art Museum is the only place in the US dedicated to Cyrus Dallin. It protects and shares his artwork. The museum has over 90 artworks from his 60-year career. These include sculptures of Indigenous peoples and historical figures. You can also see portraits of his family and friends. The museum displays models of his public monuments and memorials. It also has coins, medals, and paintings. The exhibits help you understand Dallin's art. They also show his passion for art, teaching, and Indigenous rights.

The Museum Building

The Cyrus Dallin Art Museum is inside the Jefferson Cutter House. This historic house is in the center of Arlington, Massachusetts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town owns the building. It also houses the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The Cutter Gallery, which shows local artists' work, is also there.

The Jefferson Cutter House was built in 1830. It has a Greek Revival and Federal style. It is shaped like a saltbox house. Jefferson Cutter, who was born in Arlington in 1803, first lived here. The fancy main entry door was likely carved by Cutter himself. He was a skilled woodworker. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Cyrus Dallin's Life

Early Life and Art

Cyrus Edwin Dallin
Dallin c. 1912
Notable work	Appeal to the Great Spirit (1908) Paul Revere Monument (1885–1940) Angel Moroni (1893)

Cyrus Edwin Dallin was born on November 22, 1861, in Springville, Utah. People noticed his talent for sculpting early on. When he was 19, he went to Boston to study art. Today, he is seen as one of the most important American sculptors.

Dallin faced challenges to become successful. But he never gave up on his projects. A great example of his determination is the Paul Revere statue. It took him 58 years to get it funded and built! He made 7 different versions over the years. The statue was finally put up in Boston in 1940.

Family and Career

In 1891, Dallin married Vittoria Colonna Murray, a writer. They had three sons together. During this time, Dallin worked hard to get art projects. He showed his art and won many awards. He also taught art to support his family. He taught at the Massachusetts Normal Art School from 1900 to 1941. This school is now the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Other famous artists respected Dallin. These included Augustus St. Gaudens and John Singer Sargent. Sargent even became a close friend. Dallin's art was very popular and widely collected. His sculptures of Native Americans are among his most loved works. They changed how public art looked in America.

In 1900, when he was 39, Dallin moved to Arlington, Massachusetts. He lived and worked there for the rest of his life. Because of this, many of his artworks are now in Arlington. Dallin passed away at his home on November 14, 1944. He was almost 83 years old.

Museum History

Robbins Memorial Flagstaff with sculptures by Dallin (located near the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum)

The museum is a team effort. It's run by the Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum, Inc. (a nonprofit group) and the Town of Arlington. In 1982, a grant helped create a historic marker. This marker was for the Robbins Memorial Flagstaff. This flagstaff includes five sculptures by Cyrus Dallin.

In 1984, more people became aware of Dallin's work. A committee was formed to find his artworks in Arlington. They found 24 works, and many needed care. In 1985, the town decided to create the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum. Its goal was to collect, protect, and show Dallin's art. A volunteer board was chosen in 1986 to run the museum. Fundraising started in 1988. They raised $35,000 to help restore the artworks.

The museum's collection didn't have a permanent home until 1998. That year, the town bought the historic Jefferson Cutter House. This house became the new home for the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum. In October 1998, the museum opened its first two galleries. More galleries were added in 2001 and 2004.

Artworks on Display

The Cyrus Dallin Museum has over 90 of his works. These include sculptures made of plaster and bronze. You can also see reliefs, medals, and paintings. The museum also offers a walking tour. This tour lets you see other Dallin sculptures nearby.

Images for kids

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  Sacajawea

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  Paul Revere

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  Appeal to the Great Spirit

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  John Trowbridge

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  Menotomy Hunter (in nearby Robbins Park)

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  Appeal to the Great Spirit

More to Explore

• Dallin House (his birthplace)
• List of sculptures by Cyrus Dallin in Massachusetts
• List of single-artist museums
• Taylor-Dallin House