William Benton Museum of Art facts for kids
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| Established | 1967 |
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| Location | 245 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, Connecticut, United States |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collection size | 6500 |
| Owner | University of Connecticut |
The William Benton Museum of Art is a cool place to see art! It's a public art museum right on the main campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. The Benton has a huge collection of over 6,500 artworks. They also have special art shows, music concerts, and fun art walks around the campus. The museum is named after William Benton. He was an important U.S. senator and helped the university a lot. You can find a cafe called The Beanery and a gift shop inside. The best part? It's free to visit!
Contents
History of the Benton Museum
When Did the Museum Open?
The building where the Benton Museum is now was built in 1920. For twenty years, it was actually the main dining hall for the university! It officially opened as an art museum in 1967.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The museum building has a special design called Collegiate Gothic. This style makes it look like an old, grand college building. It's one of the main buildings in the University of Connecticut Historic District-Connecticut Agricultural School. This area is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Exploring the Art Collection
How Did the Art Collection Start?
The Benton's amazing art collection began with Charles Lewis Beach. He was the president of the old Connecticut Agricultural College. He started collecting art for the college. In 1933, he gave his own collection of American art to the college. He also left money so the college could keep buying more art.
What Kind of Art Can You See?
Over many years, the museum's collection has grown a lot. It now has works by famous artists like Mary Cassatt, Thomas Hart Benton, and Gustav Klimt. You can also see art by Childe Hassam, Henry Ward Ranger, and Georges Braque.
The collection is especially strong in modern and American art. But you can find all kinds of art there! Some pieces are very old, going all the way back to the Renaissance. The museum always has many different types of exhibits for you to enjoy.
