Newark, New Jersey is not just home to celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Shaquille O’Neal and Queen Latifah, to name three, it also is bustling with lively things to do. The state’s largest city also is home to The Newark Museum of Art. You can visit The Newark Museum of Art and see three spectacular attractions. Read further to find out what they are.
A Little Background Information
Established in 1909 at the Newark Public Library, The Newark Museum of Art, formerly the Newark Museum, is the Garden State’s largest museum. In it, you’ll find collections of American art, decorative art, contemporary art, and art from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the ancient world, according to the organization’s website. Why was this museum established? John Cotton Dana, Founding Director, believed museums were established to promote the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the arts and sciences.
Established in 1909 at the Newark Public Library, The Newark Museum of Art, formerly the Newark Museum, is the Garden State’s largest museum.
Ballantine, Anyone?
1. Up for a visit to the Ballantine House? The Ballantine family was regarded as one of the prominent brewing families in Newark during the 19th century. The house is a replica of Jeannette and John Holme Ballantine’s home. As an aside, the original Ballantine House was a brick and limestone mansion, with 27 rooms, including eight bedrooms and three bathrooms. You can view two floors of a suite of galleries called “House & Home,” which includes eight period rooms, two hallways and six thematic galleries. These rooms bare things that may have been found in homes from the 1650’s to present. The Ballantine House has been an attraction of The Newark Museum of Art since 1937. And, the house was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
To Be a Star
2. Whether you have children in tow or not, you can visit the Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, an interactive theater for learning about space, astronomy and planetary science. Explore the constellations, see the Solar System, visit galaxies and soar to the edge of the Universe. Note that planetarium shows are not recommended for children under 4 years of age. Additional information about this planetarium can be found here.
Visit the Mediterranean
3. Do you enjoy all things Mediterranean? If so, you will get your fill with the newly reopened ‘Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean: Egypt, Greece & Rome‘ exhibit. This exhibit includes collections of ancient glass and classical antiquities that illustrate glassmaking over a 2,500-year time span.
Included in this collection are the mummy case of Henet-Mer, sculptures, writing and funerary objects that provide a glimpse of life in ancient Egypt, from Neolithic times through the Roman period. What else? Coptic art of Christian Egypt include textiles, pottery, sculpture and paintings, which also can be viewed. Sculptures from Greece, Rome, Cyprus and Etruria also are must-sees in this collection.
So Many Offerings, So Little Time
When will you plan your next visit to The Newark Museum of Art? More about the aforementioned attractions and others can be obtained through the information below. You surely won’t be disappointed, as this article barely touches the surface of the offerings there. See you at the museum!
Know Before You Go:
- Location: 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- Contact: (973)-596-6550
- Hours: Thursday-Sunday
- Members and Member Guests: 10am–11am
- All Visitors: 11am–5pm
- The Newark Museum of Art is closed on:
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24
Christmas, Sunday, December 25
New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1 - Website: newarkmuseumart.org
Web Links:
https://www.nj.com/essex/2016/07/50_influential_people_you_didnt_realize_were_from.html;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark_Museum;
https://www.newarkmuseum.org/ballantine-house;
https://www.newarkmuseum.org/planetarium;
https://www.newarkmuseum.org/admission-hours;
https://www.journeythroughjersey.com/sites/ballantine-house-at-the-newark-museum;
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