Terra Museum facts for kids
The Terra Museum of American Art was a special place that showed American art. A businessman named Daniel J. Terra started it in Evanston, Illinois, in 1980. Later, in 1987, the museum moved to Chicago. For 24 years, the museum held over 200 art shows. It also offered fun programs for kids, families, and teachers. The Terra Museum closed its doors on October 31, 2004.
How the Museum Started
Daniel Terra loved collecting art. He began in the 1940s. By the 1970s, he focused on American art. He especially liked American Impressionism and the Hudson River School. These were styles of painting.
In 1980, Daniel Terra opened the Terra Museum of American Art. It was in Evanston, Illinois. The museum first showed about 700 pieces from his own collection. These included paintings, drawings, and photos. They were from the late 1700s to 1945.
Two years later, President Ronald Reagan gave Daniel Terra a special job. He became an Ambassador-at-Large for Cultural Affairs. This was to thank him for promoting American art.
Moving and Growing
In 1987, the Terra Museum of American Art moved. It went from Evanston to downtown Chicago. It was on Michigan Avenue.
In 1992, Daniel Terra opened another museum. This one was in France. It was called the Musée d’art américain Giverny. It first showed paintings by American artists. These artists had spent time in France. Soon, this museum also showed more American art. It focused on art that connected America and Europe.
Why the Museum Closed
In 2003, the people in charge of the Terra Foundation made a big decision. They wanted to help more people learn about American art. So, they decided to close the museum in Chicago. It closed at the end of October 2004.
Before it closed, some people wanted to move the museum. They tried to move it to Washington, D.C. But a legal agreement in 2004 stopped this. The Foundation had to stay in Illinois for 50 years.
The art that was in the museum is still owned by the Terra Foundation for American Art. The Foundation continues to collect more art. Some of the Terra Foundation's paintings are now on display. You can see them at the Art Institute of Chicago. The Art Institute also has the Foundation's collection of drawings and prints. The Foundation also lends its art to museums all over the world.
