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 fantastic place to explore art and history. It's located in Cooperstown, New York, right next to the beautiful Otsego Lake. The museum has amazing collections, including art from Native American cultures, American fine art, and folk art. It also features old photographs and rare books. The museum's main goal is to help people connect with the cultural heritage of America and New York State. They do this through exciting exhibits and fun public programs that aim to "engage, delight and inspire" everyone who visits.
The museum also has a special connection with The Fenimore Farm & Country Village, which is another interesting place in Cooperstown.
Contents
History of the Museum
The Fenimore Art Museum started a long time ago, in 1899. Back then, it was known as the New York State Historical Association. In the 1920s, a businessman named Horace Moses built a special house in Ticonderoga, New York. This house was a copy of an old mansion in Boston and became the first home for the association.
Later, in 1939, a man named Stephen Carlton Clark invited the association to move. Stephen Clark loved art and history. He was also involved with big museums like the Museum of Modern Art. He offered them Fenimore House, which was his late brother's mansion. This house was on land that used to belong to the famous writer James Fenimore Cooper, just outside Cooperstown. For a while, the association had offices in both Ticonderoga and Cooperstown. Eventually, everything moved to Cooperstown. The Ticonderoga house became home to the Ticonderoga Historical Society.
In the mid-1990s, a new part was added to Fenimore House. This new section was built to hold the amazing Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art. After this, Fenimore House was officially renamed the Fenimore Art Museum. In 2017, the organization formally changed its name from the New York State Historical Association to the Fenimore Art Museum. This change helped the name better describe all the different activities the museum does.
What Can You See?
The Fenimore Art Museum has several important collections. These collections help visitors learn about different parts of American history and art.
American Fine and Folk Art
The museum's collections of fine art and folk art are truly special. Many of these artworks were collected by Stephen C. Clark himself. You can see paintings by famous artists like Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Cole, and Benjamin West. There are also works by well-known folk artists such as Grandma Moses and Ralph Fasanella.
Thaw Collection of American Indian Art
In 1991, Clare and Eugene Thaw gave their incredible collection of Native American art to the Fenimore Art Museum. This collection has continued to grow over the years. Today, it includes more than 850 beautiful objects. These items show the rich artistic traditions of many different Indigenous American cultures.
Photography Collection
The museum also has a large collection of photographs. Many of these photos were taken by local Cooperstown artists. One very famous collection is from a company called Smith & Telfer. They have an archive of 60,000 photos! Some of these old photos have been put online, so you can see them from anywhere.
Research Library
In 1968, a separate building was built to hold the library collections. This library supports both the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers' Museum. It's a great place for people to research local history. You can learn about old trades, farming in the 1800s, and the art and culture of the Cooperstown area.
Outdoor Performances
Since 2015, the museum has hosted outdoor plays and shows. These performances take place in the Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater. This outdoor theater is on the museum grounds and has a beautiful view overlooking Otsego Lake. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy a show!
