Best museums in America??
 

Would like your opinion - what are some of the Best? Any catagory is ok

The attached list isn't intended to be exhaustive, but it ought to get you started. If it seems heavy on east coast institutions, that's because the patrons who traditionally collected art and then left bequests to museums historically lived in the northeast, and that's where the museums were at the time. If the 20th century equivalents of the 19th century robber barons choose to convert part of their wealth into art, then I suspect the next "great" museums will be in Seattle, Palo Alto, etc. For the present, at least, they're predominantly in the Washington-New York-Boston corridor. <BR> <BR>Here's my list, more or less in order of collection quality: <BR> <BR>Art - European, pre-20th century <BR>The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) <BR>The Getty Museum (Los Angeles) <BR>The Frick Collection (New York) <BR>The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) <BR>The National Gallery of Art (Washington DC) <BR>The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago) <BR>The Clark Art Institute (Williamstown, MA) <BR>The Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia) <BR>The Baltimore Art Museum (Baltimore) <BR>The Norton Simon Museum (Los Angeles) <BR> <BR>Art - European and American Modern <BR>The Museum of Modern Art (New York) <BR>The Guggenheim Museum (New York) <BR>The Baltimore Art Museum (Baltimore) <BR> <BR>Art - American <BR>The Smithsonian Institution - Museum of American Art (Washington DC) <BR>The Whitney Museum of American Art (New York) <BR>Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Philadelphia) <BR> <BR>Art - Asian <BR>The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) <BR>The Smithsonian Institution - Freer Art Gallery (Washington DC) <BR>The Asian Art Museum (San Francisco) <BR> <BR>Decorative Arts <BR>The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) <BR>The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) <BR>The Winterthur Museum (Greenville, DE) <BR>The Philadelphia Art Institute (Philadelphia) <BR>The Walters Art Gallery (Baltimore) <BR> <BR>Natural History <BR>The Museum of Natural History (New York) <BR>The Smithsonian Institution - Museum of Natural History (Washington DC) <BR>The Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago) <BR> <BR>Other superb museums <BR>The Museum of Television and Radio (New York) <BR>The Isabelle Stewart Gardiner Museum (Boston) <BR>The Fogg Museums at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) <BR>The Smithsonian Institution - National Portrait Gallery (Washington DC) <BR>The Wadsworth Anthenaum (Hartford, CT) <BR>The Smithsonian Institution - Air and Space Museum (Washington DC) <BR> <BR>I'm sure others will add their own views of "the Best." <BR> <BR>

Will only comment on those I've visited: <BR> <BR>I second the motion on National Gallery of Art (DC) and the Chicago Art Institute - both excellent. The Frick Museum in NYC is particularly good for those wishing to see an entire collection within a reasonable amount of time (1/2 day). <BR>A small art museum of interest in my region (upstate NY)is the Albright-Knox in Buffalo. For a small college museum (a plug here for my alma mater) I suggest Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. Excellent collection of drawings and paintings and a highly unusual collection of decorative jade items. <BR>In Rochester NY is the Strong Museum: toys, household furnishings, clothing, advertising materials, Asian writing increments and inkpots and the world's largest collection of dolls - check it out at strongmuseum.org - must be seen to be appreciated. Also in Rochester is Eastman House - restored home of Kodak's founder, a world class photography museum, a huge collection of antique photographic equipment and the world's largest motion picture and motion picture stills collection. <BR>In Syracuse (my hometown) is the new Museum of Automotive History - the only automotive museum in the world without any cars! <BR>Lastly, if you like the oddball stuff - the Musical Instrument Museum in Leonardsville NY (most are working and many may be tried hands-on!). Just down the road in Otselic NY is the Fly Fishing Museum of America.

Like to go into a World War II German U-boat? Like to descend into a coal mine? Then head for Chicago's marvelous Museum of Science and Industry. I guarantee that you can spend a week there and never grow tired of its marvels.

Wow! This is a question... <BR> <BR>As a professional (art historian) and avocational museum addict, it is a mind boggling thought. Let me just say that I think Boston's MFA ought to be mentioned for its general collections, as well as the decorative arts. <BR> <BR>Let me add a couple of categories - for which I cannot supply exhaustive listings: <BR>Antiquities (Middle-Eastern and Graeco/Roman): <BR>NY Met <BR>Cleveland Museum of Art <BR> <BR>European Medieval Art <BR>Morgan Library, NYC <BR>Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC <BR>Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore <BR> <BR>Native American Art: <BR>Heard Museum (Phoenix) <BR>Museums of New Mexico (Santa Fe) <BR>Smithsonian <BR>Museum of British Columbia, Victoria, BC <BR>( know it's Canadian - I don't remember if the topic was specific to the US - besides they have great collections of Native Americana in the wider definition of the name America - and it is a terrific museum) <BR> <BR>Science: <BR>OMSI - Oregon Museum of Science & Industry <BR>Exploratorium - San Francisco - always changing and a model of a hands on museum in an intriguing recycled setting <BR> <BR>Museum Buildings would also be an interesting topic as many interesting new structures have been built in the last 25 or 30 years, some successful, some not. <BR>Getty (Los Angeles) <BR>San Francisco Museum of Modern Art <BR>High Museum (Atlanta) <BR>East Wing, National Gallery (Washington,D.C.) <BR>Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, WA) <BR> <BR>other nominations here? There has been a lot of work done, on smaller regional museums and college structures as well. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Some on the West Coast----Huntington Library in San Marino (suburb of L.A.) has Gainsborough's Blue Boy and Pinkie. How about the La Brea Tar Pit Museum in LA and the Getty, particularly now that it's got a new addition. And, yes, there is a wonderful one about to open in Palo Alto----The Stanford Museum at Stanford Univ. has an extensive collection, especially Rodins, but has been closed for seismic retrofit for a couple years. Should open soon! SF has many little museums: De Young, the SFMOMA, and the Cable Car Museum. I would also consider any of the missions up and down the coast of California to be museums and would highly recommend them. My very favorite has to be the Smithsonian in D.C., however. <BR>

<BR>I am mostly a fan of art museums, so my favorites fall in that category. The Metropolitan Museum in NY is overwhelmingly wonderful, as is the Art Institute of Chicago. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has a fabulous new building and the Museum of Modern Art in Ny has a fine collection and often has wonderful special exhibits(the current Bonnard exhibit is superb). Boston's Museum of Fine Arts is very good, but in Boston I really like the Gardner Museum. For a small museum The Frick Collection in NY is absolutely perfect.

Let me add two names to the lengthy list above: <BR> <BR>The Holocaust Memorial and Museum (Washington DC) is probably the country's best example of what Marsha, above, cites as "architecture that instructs." It belongs on any list of "the best" museums. <BR> <BR>Also, Brooklyn's Museum of Fine Arts houses one of the best collections of both American art and of Egyptian antiquities. It should not be missed by anyone interested in seeing America's best museums. <BR>

Neal is right. I meant to put the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. on my list and forgot. I think it has no equal in the manner in which the architecture conforms to the purpose of the institution and enhances and extends its purpose and message. It is a remarkable accomplishment. When I am asked by people who have scant time what museums to see in Washington, D.C., my answer is one art museum (your favorite flavor), one of the Smithsonian's museums that is not art (I always go for the rock and gem specimens while the kids head for air & space), and the Holocaust Museum if they have not seen it before. <BR> <BR>And many of us on the west coast are eagerly awaiting Stanford Museum's reopening - anxious to see the melding of a modern addition and retrofit with the older building.

I'd add Blackhawk (Automotive) in Danville, CA and the Petersen (Automotive) in LA. Did anyone mention the Met?(NYC) There's a tiny museum in Lincoln Park in New Orleans that has a Faberge Collection....OH what about Marjorie-Merrywether Posts' place....I better scroll up and review before you guys let me have it for redundancy!

Let us not forget the Heard Museum in Phoenix, the best Native American museum. <BR>And, one of my favorites: The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

You've covered all the major art museums that I'm familiar with, but let me toss in a couple regional contenders plus a local museum that I visitedin Vermont last month. The Vermont museum is the St.Johnsbury (on Rt. 91 near Canadian border) Athenaeum. It was donated to the town in the 1880s, and it contains the original collection (an assortment of Hudson River School, copies of old masters, etc.) in the original setting. It's a great example of late Victorian taste in the U.S. The regional museums are the the Phillips in Washington, which inlcudes Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party," a big Bonnard collection, and several Van Goghs; and the Detroit Art Institute, which has a very good medieval collection. Oh, and did anyone mention the Cloisters in NYC.

Great thread! <BR> <BR>Has anyone been to the new Mass MoCA in the Berkshires, MA? I kept reading about it while it was being constructed, and it sounded potentially great. <BR> <BR>I'm not going to give my whole list, just ones I didn't see already while skimming. <BR> <BR>The Museum of Folk Art and the Georgia O'Keefe museum in Santa Fe. <BR> <BR>Ellis Island in NYC (although getting there is a hassle, with all the crowds, and the museum itself is so exhausting you can't do it justice in one go). <BR> <BR>Haven't been there, but hear the DeMenil and the Rothko chapel in Texas (Houston, right?) are transcendent. <BR> <BR>I'll continue Owen's "be true to your school" theme and mention the Addison Gallery in Andover, MA, which is truly great for its size, but not so convenient for tourists (45 minutes from Boston). Oberlin and Colby Colleges also have excellent museums, but neither is an alma mater... <BR> <BR>And, finally, how about all those house and plantation museums in the Charleston/Savannah area? I know it's stretching the category somewhat, but "any category is ok".

Oh, and the Yale University Art Museum, too.

I enjoy art but my exposure has been limited. I too have enjoyed the MOMA in NYC and the Smithsonian in DC. I would, however, like to add one that I like alot and that I'm surprised noone has mentioned yet. Maybe someone could enlighten me as to why not. My pick is the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Fl.

Three that shouldn't be missed: <BR>1) Art Institute of Chicago <BR>2) Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago <BR>3) Smithsonian in D.C.

I think the "big boys" have been covered well. Let me add two entries, one Canadian, but it is hard to exclude our close neighbor to the north where the commonality of English is concerned. <BR>1. the Indian museum at the Colter Bay Visitor Center in the Grand Tetons National Park and <BR>2. the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology in Drumheller, Alberta. <BR>The museum at Colter Bay is small, but has some excellent examples of Indian clothing, art, jewelry, household tools, and war equipment. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a World Heritage Site. What else can I say? <BR>

This would probably fall into the 'Offbeat but Interesting' category -- the Museum of Beverage Containers & Advertising near Nashville TN.

One of my favorites is the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, OH. The glass collection is outstanding.

Also highly recommend Sterling & Clark, Isabella Stewart Gardner and Frick Collection - real treasures! I'm a bit surprise that no one has mentioned Norman Rockwell... Affectionados should not miss the recently built museum in Stockbridge, MA, his last home and proprietor of his best original "works". They've moved his last studio to the grounds as well. Nearby, in Arlington and Rutland, VT are "exhibits" of his works. In Arlington, you can visit his home (now a B&B) and a "display" in a former church, where reproductions are sold at very low prices and can be framed at very moderate prices. You can also buy plates, figurines, and everything else imaginable. The "guides" here are folks who were models (in their much younger days) in his paintings. And, there's a video of an "autobiography" he taped. In Rutland, the "exhibit' is more historical - his very early original illustrations (many of them magazine advertisements) and ALL of his (original) Saturday Evening Post covers.

Besides all of the above...The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. Fabulous place!

I'm so pleased when I read a thread like this one and realize I've actually been to a majority of the museums mentioned at some time or another. <BR> <BR>Now, here's my nomination for a small, regional museum that is always full of surprizes. It't the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington, Mass. It's a beautiful, modern building owned and operated by the Masons (always free admission). They have at least two permanant exhibits, one of local history (i.e. Lexington/Concord) and one on the history of fraternal organizations (not just the Masons). Two other galleries are always filled with shows of such variety that they always amaze me. Right now one show is of Civil War photographs which were discovered in the attic of a town's historical society where they'd been stored for decades (can't remember which town in MA, sorry). They have had such varied exhibits as the history of the American diner, quilts, smoking, Moxie (the beverage), items left at the Vietnam memorial. It's always a pleasure to drop in and see what's being offered there. It shouldn't be missed by anyone who comes to this area and does the Lex/Concord thing.

Debbie, <BR> <BR>I did not see it mentioned previously but as for sheer volume of incredible Impressionism in the absolutely most quirky setting, one should not miss the Barnes Museum which is located in a Main Line suburb of Philadelphia...I think it is Merion or Meridian or something like that. We were lucky enough to see it before it became enmeshed in controversy and my understanding is that they have now severely restricted the open hours and number of visitors. The history of the Barnes collection is fascinating and should be part of your pre-museum reading if you can spend some time on it. <BR> <BR>In a nutshell, Dr. Barnes, who has some very interesting and unorthodox ideas about art amassed a veritable treasure of paintings (especially impressionism) along with lots of other funny objects (quirky metal hinges, masks, etc...) and then grouped them all together in a beautiful mansion in a residential neighborhood and formed an art school to promote his ideas. There was scandal in a variety of forms and then his untimely death in an auto accident threw the whole thing into the management of a local university...I can't remember all the details but it is definitely worth understanding before you see the collection as it continues to be displayed exactly as it was at his death. <BR> <BR>My understanding is that the works are now labelled and there maybe a catalog, but when we saw it it was the biggest most oddly displayed (walls are covered with mustard covered burlap!!!!) of the most amazing artwork (half of it was hung 10 feet over viewers heads) with not a single label or guide or explanation. Things got even more mysterious when we tried to enquire about why the art was so displayed and some very severe, serious elderly ladies (devotees of Dr. Barnes who still worked there) got very upset that we had any questions at all even though not a single work was labelled... <BR> <BR>The whole expereince still qualifies as one of our most inscrutable art adventures!!! We'd love to go back and see how things have (or have not!!!) changed. <BR> <BR>Maria

How about the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles!

Perhaps this ought to be an entirely new thread, but for a museum that's not really a museum: Something half-way between Disney-esque "infotainment" and sheer propaganda is the Newseum in Arlington VA. For example, out front there are "artefacts" of important moments in news history that turn out to be fabricated facsimiles of the real thing. Inside, there's studio where they make you think you're in a "real" broadcast of some show only it's just an internal feed to their website. A few bits of true education sneak in between the massive self-promotion of big media, articularly those owned by Gannett/"Freedom Forum" conglomerates. If you want to know where the money came from, just look up at the most prominent building you see from the entrance to the museum. <BR> <BR>For news, media, etc., I much prefer the Smithsonian's version -- have yet to sample NY's offering.

Maria, you're absolutely right, the Barnes Foundation is one of the most amazing art collections ever. I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier. It's a collection that no one who likes impressionism and the post-impressionists should miss. It has more Cezanes (how do you spell this?) than in Paris, with amazing examples of work by Seurat, Van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, Monet, Modigliani and others. It's always been surrounded by controversy because of Barnes' obstreperous personality and efforts to keep people out except on his own terms. It has a once-deserved reputation for being hard to get into, but by the early 1980s it was actually easy to visit on the days that it was open. Since the early '90s the controversy has reignited because of efforts to revise Barnes' will and a resulting backlash, but I visited in '95 and didn't have any trouble. And now the paintings are labeled and there's even a gift shop (which must have the old boy spinning!!). Things may have gotten a little stiffer again - - their recording at 610 667-0290 says reservations are required. But I promise you its worth going to a little trouble.

Clark Museum, Williamstown, MA.

Allen Art Museum, Oberlin, OH.

Off the beaten path, but jewels!

I've visited many, live close to DC and while it has many fine museums my vote goes to the Getty AND to the new DIA in Detroit!!!

I didn't see the National World War II museum in New Orleans mentioned yet. It should definitely be on the list.

I would also add the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, WY to the list. We were there this fall and greatly enjoyed our visit.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is excellent and has the largest collection of bones in the world (though most used for research and are not necessarily on display).

The museum is walkable from the Cleveland Museum of Art--one of the best collections in the world. Also, excellent is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Guggenheim is another great collection.

Music--the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland is said to be wonderful, with many well done exhibits. I haven't been to this museum but everyone I've talked to that's been there loved it.

The Conspiracy museum in Dallas is also good, that examines the assassination of JFK.

&quot;<i>I didn't see the National World War II museum in New Orleans mentioned</i>&quot;

Understandable since this thread is two years older than the WWII museum. (how DOES one find a nine year old thread to top? )

6 very good ones we saw this year in Oklahoma. Each is excellent in its own way

Muskogee - Five Civilized Tribes Museum.

Claremore - WIll Rogers Museum.

Tulsa - Gilcrease Museum. (art, mainly western)

Railroad Museum of Oklahoma - Enid

Oklahoma City -
45th Infantry Division Museum. one of the best military museums - Bill Mauldin cartoon collection

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

I didn't even know this forum EXISTED nine years ago! But as long as its been topped.....my favorite US museum is the Smithsonian's Museum of American History. I just love the artifacts of our history. (I have my favorite art and other museums, too, but that's my number one favorite).

I went to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum a couple of years ago. Fascinating. Definitely worth a vist if you are in Oklahoma.

OOps pressed enter too soon. We met an old cowboy there who had actually worked on the chuck wagon on display. It was great to talk to him and hear all about his life as a cowboy. Growing up watching &quot;cowies&quot; on the telly it was wonderful to meet the real thing!

My top 5 in alphabetic order:

Getty Museum - Los Angeles, CA
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village - Dearborn, MI
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center - Hutchinson, KS
Metropolitan Museum of Art - NYC
South Street Seaport Museum - NYC

Keith

Overall #1 the Met - without a doubt

Most meaningful - Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Best group - the Smithsonian

For kids: the American Museum of Natural History

Thanks Keith - I was sad to see that the Henry Ford in Dearborn hadn't made it to the list yet. It's a great museum with displays such as the Rosa Parks bus and the chair that Lincoln was shot in.

Aside from the obvious NY and DC museums --

The Haggin Museum in Stockton, CA (of all places) is a gem.

The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA has a fabulous collection of early California art.

The Winterthur Museum and Gardens in Wilmington, DE is the best for early American decorative arts.