Wadsworth Atheneum

Named for Daniel Wadsworth and Athena, the goddess of wisdom and patroness of the arts, the Wadsworth Atheneum is the nation’s oldest public art museum, founded in 1842. The building is currently undergoing major renovations. The collection includes some 45,000 works of art, from French and American impressionist paintings and early American furniture to African-American art. Opening in October will be an exhibit of photographs, Patti Smith: Camera Solo and Colts and Quilts: The Civil War Remembered. Among the ongoing exhibits are selections of American Art 1800-1950 and Contemporary Art, African American Art, European Art: Renaissance to early 19th Century, and the Hudson River School collection, recently reinstalled. Museum highlights tours are offered daily at 1. The café at the Atheneum is open for lunch 11 to 3:30, Wednesday through Sunday.

Hours are Wednesday-Friday, 11 to 5, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 5 (1st Thursdays, 11-8). Admission is $10; $8 for seniors; and $5 for students age 13 through college (with ID) and 1st Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Parking is available on the street, with kiosk payment, or at parking garages; details are available online.

Details

The Wadsworth Atheneum is in Hartford at 600 Main Street (from I-84East, take Exit 48B). For more information, call 860-278-2670 or go to www.wadsworthatheneum.org.