Fenimore Art Museum facts for kids
The Fenimore Art Museum building, seen in July 2014
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| Established | 1899 |
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| Location | Cooperstown, New York |
| Type | Art museum |
The Fenimore Art Museum is a cool museum in Cooperstown, New York. It sits right next to Otsego Lake. This museum is famous for its amazing collections. These include art from Native Americans, American fine art, and folk art. They also have old photos and rare books.
The museum's main goal is to help people learn about American and New York State history and culture. They do this by creating fun exhibits and programs. The Fenimore Art Museum works closely with The Farmers' Museum, which is also in Cooperstown.
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Museum History
The Fenimore Art Museum started way back in 1899. It was first called the New York State Historical Association. For a while, it had a home in Ticonderoga, New York.
In 1939, a man named Stephen Carlton Clark invited the association to move. He was an art collector who loved history. He offered them Fenimore House in Cooperstown. This house was on land that used to belong to the famous writer James Fenimore Cooper. Over time, all the museum's work moved to Cooperstown.
In the mid-1990s, something exciting happened. A new part was added to Fenimore House. This new wing was built to hold the amazing Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art. After this, Fenimore House was renamed the Fenimore Art Museum. In 2017, the museum officially changed its name from New York State Historical Association to Fenimore Art Museum.
Awesome Collections
The Fenimore Art Museum has several special collections. Each one tells a unique story about art and history.
Fine Art & Folk Art
This collection has beautiful paintings and sculptures. Many of these were gathered by Stephen C. Clark. You can see works by famous artists like Gilbert Stuart and Grandma Moses. Folk art is art made by everyday people, often using traditional skills.
Thaw Collection of American Indian Art
This is a very special collection of art from Native American cultures. Clare and Eugene Thaw gave their collection to the museum in 1991. It has grown to include more than 850 amazing objects. These items show the rich artistic traditions of different Native American groups.
Photography
The museum also has a large collection of old photographs. Many of these photos show life in Cooperstown long ago. One well-known part is the Smith & Telfer Collection. Some of their 60,000 photos can even be seen online!
Research Library
In 1968, a separate building was built for the museum's library. This library helps people research local history. It also has information about 19th-century jobs and farming. Plus, it covers art and culture from the Cooperstown area.
Performing Arts
Since 2015, the museum has hosted outdoor plays and shows. These performances happen at the Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater. It's a great spot with a view of Otsego Lake.
