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About Us
Housed in a gracious 19th century stone Victorian mansion on six acres in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Woodmere first opened its doors to the public in 1940. The building, grounds and the nucleus of the permanent collection are the benefactions of Charles Knox Smith (1845 – 1916) whose wish it was to create “a very lively art center...to awaken the spirit of, the appreciation of, and the knowledge of art . . . in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding territory.” Today, the Permanent Collection houses more than 2500 works of art, much of it celebrating the art and artists of the Philadelphia region. Nine galleries and salons including a grand rotunda and a uniquely designated Children’s Gallery provide superb space for exhibiting both the Permanent Collection and numerous special exhibits each year. A converted carriage house serves as the George D. Widener Studio where a year-round roster of classes provides outstanding art training to children and adults. Numerous public programs – lectures, tours, trips – and an impressive library and slide registry ensure that the community has ongoing access to a wide spectrum of art education resources.
Charles Knox Smith (1845 - 1916) He would seem an unlikely benefactor. Raised in a modest neighborhood of Philadelphia, Charles Knox Smith left school after the eighth grade, taking a job as a grocer’s boy. Fate stepped in when the owner of a local oil company offered the young man a job. He began as an oil wagon driver. From that position, Smith conscientiously worked his way through the ranks to become a partner of the firm. Ultimately, having mastered the art of business, he struck out on his own, investing in his own oil brokerage firm and subsequently a gold and silver mining company in Mexico. But Smith was always cognizant of his origins and his difficult journey and was determined to give back to the community. In 1881, he was elected to the Philadelphia Common Council, a predecessor of the city’s modern City Council. He served in city politics within the Republican Party for 20 years leaving public service in 1901. It was that year that Smith moved into his newly renovated home in the historic Chestnut Hill section of the city. The Victorian mansion, originally built in the 1860’s provided Smith with the space to actively pursue his avocation: the collection and celebration of art. In 1902, he added a 450 square foot gallery to the house, and, in 1912, he broke ground for an extraordinary two story rotunda gallery complete with balcony. Known today as the Catherine Kuch Gallery, the space remains the centerpiece of the museum which Smith ultimately donated and dedicated to the city – Woodmere Art Museum. To this day, the Kuch Gallery represents one of the largest individual gallery spaces in the Philadelphia area. In addition to the impressive exhibition space, the gallery boasts exceptional acoustical qualities and thus has become a unique artistic setting for numerous culturally diverse concert performances. Charles Knox Smith collected more than 2000 pieces of fine and decorative arts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. He died in October, 1916 leaving in his will the following stipulation: “It is my will and desire that the said premises, 9201 Germantown Avenue, together with my collection of paintings, antique rugs, statuary, vases, and objects of art shall be converted into a public museum and gallery...for the use and benefit of the community in which I have lived...” Woodmere formally opened its doors to the public in January, 1940, with the promise of becoming “a very lively art center... [which] will serve to awaken the spirit of, the appreciation of, and the knowledge of art...in the City of Philadelphia and surrounding territory.” And so it has. The legacy of Charles Knox Smith – a love of art and a commitment to the community – lives on. Today, Woodmere Art Museum houses nine galleries and salons hosting 8 – 12 special exhibitions each year. In honoring Smith’s connections to Philadelphia, the museum’s collection policy focuses on the art and artists of the Philadelphia region. A converted carriage house serves as the George D. Widener Studio where a year-round roster of classes provides outstanding art training to children and adults. Numerous public programs – lectures, tours, trips – and an impressive library and slide registry ensure that the community has ongoing access to a wide spectrum of art education resources. ADMINISTRATION
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION PUBLIC RELATIONS/MARKETING ANNUAL REPORTS Woodmere Art Museum - 9201 Germantown Avenue - Philadelphia, PA 19118 Corner of Germantown Avenue and Bells Mill Road in Chestnut Hill Telephone 215-247-0476 Fax 215-247-2387 Accredited by the American Associations of Museums
Woodmere Art Museum, Celebrating the legacy of Philadelphia Art & Philadelphia Artists.
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