Philadelphia Museum of Art

For all listed attractions:
PO Box 7646
Philadelphia, PA 19101-7646
(215) 684-7500 Recording • 763-8100 Information • 684-7605 Family Programs
684-7585 School Pgms • 684-7863 Group Tours
684-7926 Park Houses • 684-7990 Restaurant
http://www.philamuseum.org/

Beginning as the art gallery of the great 1876 Centennial Exposition Fairmount Park, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has grown to become one of the world's great art institutions, housing a collection of more than 300,000 works of art.

The Museum building itself is a work of art, composed of pure Minnesota dolomite with glazed blue roof tiles. Covering ten acres of ground, the Museum contains more than 200 galleries. From the beginning, the building was designed as the ultimate viewing space and visitors can negotiate the galleries in a very natural order. Naturally a museum of this dimension could be, and probably is, the subject of several books. Space here allows for only the smallest hint of what visitors will find. Just a few highlights among the many works housed in the Museum include:

Paintings by Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins

The Edmond Foulc Collection of Gothic and Renaissance art, the largest acquisition of any museum at the time

The arts of China, Persia and India in the Oriental Wing

Outstanding collections of Oriental carpets

Photography of Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel Adams, Paul Strand and other masters

Tapestries depicting events in the life of Constantine the Great

The bronze statue of Diana by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Decorative Dutch titles of the 17th century.

Again, this is but a hint of what visitors can enjoy here. Many galleries are dedicated to Philadelphia furniture and silver alone. The Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Collection of Armor and Arms is one of the finest such collections in the world.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art also administers the Rodin Museum and two Historic Houses in Fairmount Park, featured later in this listing

A large assemblage of perfectly detailed Period Rooms represents life throughout the centuries and from around the world. A Pennsylvania German Kitchen from Millbach, Lebanon County can be seen here, as can the elegant Rococo Drawing Room from the townhouse of Samuel Powel, mayor of Philadelphia during the Revolution.

The Museum has long been committed to education and thus presents innumerable special events, workshops, lectures, concerts and many other activities. The famous Philadelphia Craft Show is a product of the Museum. Art classes for all ages and interests can enhance the ability of any student, from beginner and up. Sunday Family Programs invite children and their parents to explore special features of the Museum together. Call for a calendar of events and programs.

School Group education has been a focus of the Museum since 1905. Teachers, check out the following samples. Many additional programs will be found in the Museum's brochure. Perception Games (grades K - 3) features treasure hunts, games, and visual activities to help youngsters learn about art. The following are for grades 4 - 6: Arms and Armor explores the Museum's collection, including handling some pieces, to illustrate the hows and whys of Renaissance armor. Art of Asia examines architecture, decorative arts, paintings and sculpture. Clues from the Past uses the period rooms, furniture, ceramics, and other objects to introduce students to fashion and lifestyles from other places and times.

The following are for grades 7 - 12: American Art explores the art of our growing nation in the 18th and 19th centuries. European Art from 1100 to 1600 illustrates stylistic changes in painting, sculpture, architecture and armor from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Impressionism introduces students to artists such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and others.

School Groups can also enjoy Self-Guided Tours. Chaperone to student ration is 1:5 for grades K - 6 and 1:10 for grades 7 - 12. Multiple Visit Programs are available for all grade levels, each consisting of up to four museum visits. Special seasonal programs are also available. Teacher Programs include special workshops designed to enhance art education.

Rodin Museum

Three blocks away one of the world's finest collections of the sculpture of Auguste Rodin is housed in the beautiful building constructed by Jules E. Mastbaum, Philadelphia movie theater magnate. In 1923 Mastbaum began collecting the works of this great artist, acquiring not only finished bronzes, but plaster studies, drawings, prints, letters, and books.

The Museum opened in 1929 and today features 124 sculptures, including bronze casts of Rodin's greatest works: The Thinker, The Burghers of Calais, Eternal Springtime, and the culminating creation of Rodin's career, The Gates of Hell, which he worked on for nearly forty years.

Tours are Self-Guided. Guided Tours are given on selected days of each month. Call for information. Groups of 15 or more may arrange private tours.

The Fairmount Park Houses

At more than 8,000 acres, Fairmount Park is the largest municipal park in the world. Nestled in the wooded hills of the park are seven eighteenth and nineteenth century houses that were once the homes of eminent Philadelphians.

Groups can tour these homes and enjoy the beautiful architecture and period furnishings, including furniture, silver, and porcelain from the China trade. Special events are also held on the landscaped grounds.

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm (open Fridays until 8:45, but not Rodin Museum). Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Independence Day. Call for hours of operation of the Park Houses. Most are seasonal.

Admission: Adults $12.00, Seniors (62+) $9.00, Students with ID and Children 13 - 18 $8.00, and Children under 13 FREE. Admission is FREE (pay what you wish) on Sundays. There may be an additional charge for entrance to special exhibitions. Individual art classes and some family programs priced separately.
Group Rates Same for general admission. Additional charge for Group Collection Tours, call. Call for details on School Programs..

Rodin Museum $3.00 per person contribution.

Park Houses $3.00 per person contribution.

Group Reservations: 2 weeks for tours, up to 12 weeks for programs (spring & fall busiest).

Lunch: Restaurant and Espresso Bar at Museum. School Groups can bring bagged lunch.

Handicapped: Accessible.

Directions: Located on Benjamin Franklin Pkwy at 26th St. Rodin Museum is at 22nd St.

Nearby: Philadelphia Zoo , Franklin Institute Science Museum , Please Touch Museum , Moore Art Galleries , Fabric Workshop Museum , Museum of American Art .