The Chrysler Museum of Art, located near downtown Norfolk, Virginia, has both an impressive permanent collection and a program of changing exhibitions. Founded in 1939, it was originally called the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. The name change came after Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector and heir to an automotive fortune, donated his entire massive collection to the museum .
The museum's permanent collections include works in six categories: American painting and sculpture, European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, decorative arts, glass and photography.
The museums photography collection is the result of work that began in 1978 when a photography gallery was added. The first works to appear in the permanent photography exhibit were by Aaron Siskind and Robert Mapplethorpe. Today, the photography collection includes over 4,000 images. Included are important photographs from the American Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement
A visitor from South Carolina said, "I really enjoy the Chrysler museum! It's filled with all types of art from sculptures...photography exhibits and the historical art exhibits'' .
Along with the diversity of the permanent collection, the experience of visiting the Chrysler Museum is further enhanced by the changing and wonderfully diverse exhibitions. Examples of past exhibitions are Ansel Adams Photography, Rodin: Sculpture from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collection, Envisioning Virginia 1587-1784: Early Maps of the New World, The Quilts of Gee's Bend, Rembrandt's Etchings: The Embrace of Darkness and Light, and, for the car enthusiasts, La Bella Macchina: The Art of Ferrari.
In addition to the artwork, there is also an art library within the museum. The Jean Outland Chrysler Library, boasts over 80,000 volumes. Visitors will find a reading room as well as a resource librarian who can help them with research on a particular topic.
The building that houses the Chrysler Museum of Art is as beautiful as many of the exhibits found within. The museum is a popular spot for weddings which are held in the large entry foyer. Situated on the Elizabeth River, there are also beautiful views - and opportunity for wedding photography - from the outdoor garden of the museum.
Because, for those who wish to view all of the available collections and exhibits, a visit to the museum can be lengthy, there is a cafy located on the first floor of the museum. A restaurant, Cuisine and Company, is also located in the museum.
The museum also includes offsite historic houses which date to the 18th century. One of the houses, The Moses Myers House, includes many of the original furnishings that belonged to the Myers family .
To learn more, visit the museum website,
