Merrick Art Gallery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Merrick Art Gallery
|
|
Entrance
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 5th Ave. and 11th St., New Brighton, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002215 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 1983 |
The Merrick Art Gallery is a special art museum in western Pennsylvania. It was started by a man named Edward Dempster Merrick in 1880. He used an old railroad station in New Brighton, Pennsylvania for his museum.
This gallery grew to include two buildings. It holds 240 amazing works of art. The museum is still open today, and it's free for everyone to visit! It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Contents
Discover the Merrick Art Gallery
The Merrick Art Gallery is one of the oldest private art museums in its area. It offers a unique look at art from the past. You can see many different styles and artists here.
Who Was Edward Dempster Merrick?
Edward Dempster Merrick (1832–1911) was the founder of this gallery. He moved to New Brighton, Pennsylvania, when he was a child. Edward worked as a telegraph operator first. He also helped in his father's business.
Later, he joined his brothers in a foundry business. This company made metal products. After selling it, he made a smart investment. He put his money into a company that made horseshoe nails. This business helped him earn enough money to support his art museum for many years.
From Train Station to Art Museum
In 1880, Edward Merrick bought an old railroad station. This building was built around 1850. By 1885, he had turned it into a two-story art gallery.
A second building was added to the gallery around 1901. This expansion allowed for even more art to be displayed. It's amazing how an old train station became a beautiful place for art!
What Art Can You See?
The gallery is full of paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can find art from France, Germany, England, and America. The collection includes different art styles.
- Romantic art shows strong feelings and dramatic scenes.
- Realistic art tries to show things exactly as they look.
- Impressionistic art uses small brushstrokes to capture light and mood.
Famous artists like Gustave Courbet and Thomas Sully have paintings here. The gallery also has a special collection from the Hudson River School. These artists, like Asher Brown Durand, painted beautiful landscapes. They often showed the American wilderness.
More Than Just Paintings
The Merrick Art Gallery has more than just paintings. The artworks are hung close together, just like in museums long ago. You can also see exhibits about geology and animals. These types of displays were popular in the 1800s.
One special item is a piano once played by Stephen Foster. He was a famous American songwriter. The museum also has a 19th-century library. Plus, you can find items from the New Brighton Historical Society. These items tell stories about the local area.
Edward Merrick bought many paintings for his museum. By 1901, he had collected 200 artworks. He spent about $20,000 on them. Interestingly, Merrick himself painted 220 pictures. Sadly, these paintings disappeared after he passed away.
