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 public art museum. It is located on the main campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. The Benton Museum has a large collection of over 6,500 artworks. It also hosts 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 guide the university. The Benton Museum has a cafe called The Beanery and a gift shop. In 2024, the museum opened a new education center. It is free for everyone to visit.
History of the Museum
The building where the Benton Museum is now was built in 1920. For twenty years, it was the main dining hall for the university. The building officially opened as an art museum in 1967.
Building Style
The museum building is designed in the Collegiate Gothic style. This style looks like old college buildings. It is one of the main buildings in the University of Connecticut Historic District-Connecticut Agricultural School. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site.
Art Collection
The Benton Museum's art collection started with Charles Lewis Beach. He was a former president of the Connecticut Agricultural College. He began the college's art collection. In 1933, he gave his own collection of American art to the college. He also left money for the college to keep buying more art.
Famous Artists in the Collection
Over the years, the museum's collection has grown. It includes works by many famous artists. Some of these artists are Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, and Thomas Hart Benton. You can also see art by Gustav Klimt and Rembrandt Peale.
The collection is especially strong in modern and American art. However, some artworks are very old, dating back to the Renaissance. The museum's exhibits are very diverse, showing many different types of art.
