With this last blog I am going a little different route. Instead of a blog on a point or place in history I am going to discuss one of my favorite museums, The Albany Institute of History and Art. The Albany Institute of History and Art, or AIHA, is one of Albany, New York’s hidden gems. This blog will take a quick look at both AIHA’s own interesting history and what is has to offer the public.
AIHA is one of the country’s oldest cultural museums, opening its doors in 1791. Its original mission was to educate the public on agricultural advances, as most people at the time made their living from the land. By 1820 the museum became more of a general collecting institution. In the 20th century the museum’s mission became more focused to what it is today, the collecting and preserving of art and history of the Upper Hudson River Valley.
AIHA currently has over 20,000 items in its collection, a collection that includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, clothing, two Egyptian mummies and other historical pieces. The institute offers permanent, rotating and temporary exhibits. Its permanent collection includes an extensive Hudson River School collection that they are particularly proud of and an Egyptian gallery that has been a favorite for generations. Currently on display is an exhibit on the history and use of graphic art which is open until June 21st. Presently, there is also an exhibit of three hundred years of shoes titled “Old Soles” being shown and is open until June 5th.
AIHA has a highly active education department that offers school field trips, home school programs, video conference lessons and family art programs. The school programs are created to meet a number of New York State educational requirements and trained docents (of which I was one) act as guides. There are also a number of art camps available over school and summer vacations. All the programs are designed to get even the youngest museum visitor involved.
AIHA has felt the effects of the economic downturn over the last few years AIHA is a nonprofit organization and relies heavily on donations and the donations are not coming in as the used to. Both employees and programs have been cut. This is why, more than, ever people need to be aware of AIHA and what is has to offer. Its collection is so extensive it is truly a window into American’s culture and history.
Click here to go directly to AIHA’s website:
Works Cited:
Albany Institute of History & Art: 200 Years of Collecting. United States of America: Hudson Hills Press, Inc., 1998.
Miles, Christine. Personal Interview, November 24, 2009.
"Welcome to the Albany Institute of History & Art". Albany Insitute of History and Art. 25 April 2011. <http://www.albanyinstitute.org/index.htm>.
No comments:
Post a Comment