"This gallery, so charming in aspect, holds one of the best collections of nineteenth-century American paintings we have." - S. Morton Vose II, formerly of the Vose Galleries of Boston
The History of the Art Gallery
In 1873, two years after the construction of the library, Governor Fairbanks added to it a small art gallery, now the oldest art gallery still in its original form in the United States.
The room’s restful simplicity makes it an excellent setting for the heavy gilt-framed pictures. Its walls are sheathed in black walnut and the floor is solid black walnut; the art gallery is bathed in natural light by an arched skylight in the high ceiling. Cases on two sides of the room contain art books in elaborately tooled leather bindings.
When the art gallery was built it contained about fifty paintings and a few marble sculptures, selected by Governor Horace Fairbanks. Since then, gifts from the donor’s private collection and work donated by members of his family have increased the collection to one hundred All are originals except for 15 copies of masterpieces by Van Dyck, Raphael, Dolci, Murillo, Rembrandt, Veronese, Bonheur, Fra Angelico, and Del Sarto.
The major part of the collection is by American and European artists from the late eighteenth century to the middle nineteenth century. The famous Hudson River School is strongly represented by such artists as Asher B. Durand (the father of American Landscape painting), Jasper Cropsey (known for autumn landscapes), Sanford Gifford (a Luminist painter), James and William Hart (pastoral landscapes with cattle), and western views by Samuel Colman and Worthington Whittredge. Dominating the gallery from its inception has been the magnificent canvas, ten feet by fifteen feet, of the Domes of Yosemite, by Albert Bierstadt.
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum stands as a permanent reminder of the generosity of the Fairbanks family and an invitation to temporarily reenter the gracious world of the nineteenth century. The public is cordially invited to visit the Library and Art Gallery from Monday through Saturday.
There are a number of ways to become an Art Gallery supporter
Enjoy gifts from the gallery
Art Gallery Handbook of the Collection
The handbook of the art collection can be purchased for $14.95. Look for it in the Gifts from the Gallery area on the first floor of the Athenaeum.
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum prohibits the use of images from its collection in public exhibition, broadcast, electronic reproduction or publication in any form without prior written permission from the institution. If you would like to reproduce any of the Art Gallery images in any form, contact Irwin Gelber at 748-8291, extension 307.
Docents
Volunteer Docents welcome visitors Monday through Saturday. Group tours for all age groups can be arranged to provide information on special interests such as the Hudson River School, the Athenaeum as a nineteenth-century landmark, or on any aspect of its collection of art, sculpture, old photographs, and rare books. Conducted by staff members and/or docents, tours last approximately 30 minutes. Audiocassettes are available for self-guided tours. See below for admission fees.
Special Tours
Guided tours for out-of-town elementary, high school, and college groups are $25 per class.
Gallery Admission
Adults - $5
St. Johnsbury residents - Free
Library members - Free
Individuals under 18 - Free
All proceeds go towards the preservation and restoration of the gallery's art collection.
Questions About Tours
All questions regarding tours and special visitors should be addressed to:
Irwin Gelber, Executive Director
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
1171 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
Phone - (802) 748-8291
Fax - (802) 748-8086
Last update: 7/5/07