Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art facts for kids
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| Established | 1973 |
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| Location | Central & University Avenues, Ithaca, New York |
| Visitors | 80,000 |
| Ithaca Discovery Trail | |
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The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, often called "The Johnson Museum," is an exciting art museum at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. It's known for its unique design by famous architect I.M. Pei. The museum has a huge collection of over 35,000 artworks from all over the world. You can see everything from ancient art to modern masterpieces here!
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A Look Back at the Museum's History
The idea for an art museum at Cornell University started in 1953. It was first called the University Art Museum. The art collections were kept in the A. D. White House.
The current museum building opened in 1973. It is named after Herbert Fisk Johnson Jr.. He was a Cornell graduate and a big supporter of the university.
The Museum's Cool Architecture
The Johnson Museum of Art was designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei. One of its coolest features is the fifth floor. It sticks out over an outdoor sculpture garden!
The building was designed carefully so it wouldn't block the amazing view of Cayuga Lake. From the museum's north and west sides, you can see a beautiful wide view of the lake. There's also a special meeting room on the sixth floor.
Building Challenges and Awards
Building the museum in its spot was tricky. There wasn't much space. Also, the design had to fit in without hiding the view of Cayuga Lake. It also sits on a special hill where Ezra Cornell supposedly chose the university's location.
The final design was a tall, narrow tower with a bridge. Some people thought it looked a bit like a giant sewing machine! In 1975, the building won a special award. It was called the American Institute of Architects Honor Award. The building's design even appeared on the cover of Scientific American magazine. This was because it was an early example of computer graphics.
Expanding the Museum Space
In 2011, the museum got bigger! A new section was added, making more space for art. This new part was inspired by the original plans. The project cost $22 million and included some updates to the main building.
One cool new feature was an outdoor Japanese garden. It was created right outside the new extension. After the new wing opened, there were some issues with the building's structure. Cornell University worked to fix these problems.
Amazing Art Collections
The museum has a permanent collection of more than 35,000 pieces of art. One very special part is the George and Mary Rockwell Asian Art collection. It has art from the Middle Ages all the way to the 20th century.
You can also find European art from famous artists like Albrecht Dürer and Francisco Goya. There are also works by French artists such as Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas. The museum also has many artworks by American artists. These include Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol.
The museum also has a huge collection of prints, drawings, and photographs. This includes over 22,000 works! You can see art from Africa, ancient America, and Oceania too.
Learning at the Museum
The Johnson Museum is a great place to learn. While Cornell's classes are taught by professors, the museum helps out. It offers special gallery sessions for different classes. Teachers can also lead tours for their students.
The museum also welcomes local school groups. Students can come for field trips and special tours. There's even a student club called the Johnson Museum Club. This group helps other students learn about the museum. They host fun events like concerts and scavenger hunts!
Images for kids
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Interior view of the Main Lobby.
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Another view of the Main Lobby.
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View of Ithaca from the fifth floor.
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View of the open porch.
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Interior of the Entrance Building.
