Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art facts for kids
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| Established | 1947 |
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| Location | 338 Lighthouse Ave, Staten Island, New York, United States |
The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art is a special museum in Staten Island, New York City. It holds one of the largest collections of art and items from the Himalayas in the United States. The museum was started by an American woman named Jacques Marchais (1887-1948). She wanted it to connect Western culture with the ancient traditions of Tibet and the Himalayan region.
Marchais designed the museum to feel like a real Himalayan monastery. It has beautiful terraced gardens, peaceful grounds, and a pond with fish and lotus flowers. Even the Dalai Lama, a very important spiritual leader, visited in 1991 and praised how real it felt. In 2009, the museum was recognized as a historic place. Jacques Marchais's real name was Jacqueline Klauber, but she used "Marchais" for her work.
About Jacques Marchais
Jacques Marchais Coblentz was born in 1887 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She started her career as a child actress in Chicago. Later, she moved to New York City and continued acting. She became interested in Eastern religions and Buddhism. Around 1920, she married and moved to a quiet part of Staten Island. This is where she began collecting many unique items.
In 1938, Marchais opened an art gallery in Manhattan. Then, in 1945, she opened a research library right next to her home in Staten Island.
Creating the Museum
Even though Jacques Marchais never traveled to Tibet or the Himalayas, she was always fascinated by the region. She wanted to find a permanent home for her growing collection. The museum officially opened its doors in 1947.
The museum, its collection, and its story on Staten Island have been shared in a book and through special art shows.
A Hidden Gem
The Jacques Marchais Museum is a bit of a hidden gem among New York City's many cultural places. It doesn't have its own parking lot, which makes it harder for some visitors to find. However, bicycling clubs often visit because it's easy for them to park their bikes.
See also
- Tibetan art
- Buddhist art
- List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City
Images for kids
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An office table inside the museum.
