May 24th, 2012
Biggs Museum of American Art, Paintings, Sculpture, Furniture, Silver, Dover, Delaware, Delaware By Hand, Members’ Day Show, Saturday, 5/26, Zwaanendael Park, Lewes, Delaware Beaches
House on the Shore, 1981 by Edward Grant, Oil on Canvass
I am sure some of you, especially, my friends would like to ask me why am I writing a post on Dover when I should be concentrating at the Delaware Beaches. After all, opening the 2012 Summer Season, should be the most important post; where to go, what to do, where to eat, etc. etc. I’ll get there, don’t worry. In the meantime, let me tell you about Dover. Yes, our state’s Capital.
I thought I have found the neatest museum. Come to think of it, the museum is 20 years old. It is called the Biggs Museum of American Art. In order to get there, you might want to know a few facts about Dover, Delaware.
I know, that DuPont Highway is not very pretty; one fast food place after another. It is incredible how many. Years ago a by-pass was built so in reality unless you have business to do in Dover, you probably will not even stop. Hopefully, this might entice you to give it a second look.
Dover was founded in 1683. If you go a few streets back you will find The Green, right in the Capital Complex & Historic District. It is a central square and was the location of many rallies, troop reviews and patriotic events. It is the heart of the Historic District and the location of the Delaware Supreme Court and the Kent County Courthouse.
The Green
Dover is the home of the Dover Air Force Base. It is also the U.S. military’s only mortuary in the continental U.S., which accepts and processes the remains of soldiers killed in battle.
A company named ILC Dover, just a few miles south, in the area known as Frederica, has been the producer of fabrics for military and aerospace uses.
NASCAR Races are held at Dover International Speedway, home of the Monster Mile.
At Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, you will find gambling and harness racing, both simulcast and live.
Dover is the only State Capital in the United States with a volunteer Fire Department.
The list goes on an on with various museums, universities, parks, and rivers in the area.
I had to get something notarized and it had to be in Dover. Long story; boring. As I was coming out of the building I look and saw the museum. It is called the Biggs Museum of American Art. It is located at 406 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. Tel. 302-674-2111. Website? www.biggsmuseum.org. You can find it on Facebook, as well.
The Biggs Museum of American Art opened in 1993. It was founded to display the art collection of its founder, Sewell C. Biggs. It is one of many sites within the First State Heritage Park, which is in downtown Dover, in the historic district. The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. There is a Welcome Center at 121 Duke of York Street, where you can get more information.
From the Delaware Beach Resorts all you have to do is take Route 1 North towards Dover. Make a slight left at Clapman Rd. Continue on to South State St. into Dover. Make a right at North Street. Museum is located on the right at the first stop sign. It will probably take you about 45 minutes.
Admission to the museum is free for all ages. There might be fees for special events, programs and workshops, though.
It is an easy museum to navigate. Relaxing too. You can explore the permanent collections. American paintings collections, art forms as sculptures and images by Brandywine School illustrator, Frank E. Schoonover. The furniture by early American cabinetmakers is gorgeous. The Museum’s Delaware Silver Study Center holds one of the finest collections of regional silver in the country.
Until June 24th a very important exhibit is presently at the Museum. It is called Jewels of the Generations. It is the Legacy of the Loockerman and Bradford Family of Dover. Vincent Loockerman died in 1785. From what I read, it is said that he was probably Dover’s single largest land owner and collector of Delaware and Philadelphia made furniture of the 18th century. His family has added over the years to that collection. The Museum’s founder, Sewell C. Biggs, was a collector and admirer of the objects accumulated by Vincent Loockerman. The exhibit, on loan, also has early American clothing, Victorian jewelry, American and European silver, American portraits, and Delaware and Philadelphia furniture.
This is a very active Museum. The Children’s Sewell’s Studio is a public interactive art studio. It is used for lectures, workshops, birthday parties and meetings.
The 2 rifles caught my attention. They were Kentucky rifles; examples of where we get the term “lock, stock and barrel”. All the pieces were made separately before being assembled into a rifle. They were made in Berks County, PA. ca 1830 and 1800.
These caught my attention, as well. The miniature Chest of Drawers, probably made in Delaware, painted wood. Late 19th or early 20th century. The Blanket Chest also from Delaware is painted yellow pine. Ca 1790-1810. And, the botton is also a Blanket Chest, CA 1800-1825, painted poplar and made in Sussex County.
This picture shows a staircase, ca 1850 made in cast iron, probably in Philadelphia. It is original to the Museum. This part of the Museum was used as a Delaware State Office building in the 19th century.
In this particular Gallery every painting was made by Frank E. Schoonover, many of them as illustrations for books like Robin Hood and King Arthur and His Knights. It is painted in red because that’s the color that he included in all of his paintings.
Delaware by Hand (DBH) is the brand of the artist and artisan members of the Biggs Museum of American Art. This coming Saturday, 5/26 at the Zwaanendael Park in Lewes, Delaware, it is the Member’s Day Show featuring unique and original artworks for sale, from 50 vendors. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Their website is www.delawarebyhand.org.
There is also a Retail Gallery at the Biggs Museum which opens Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturdays from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. It features a rotating selection of arts and fine crafts by DBH artist member of the Biggs.
Please check the website, www.biggsmuseum.org, for events, tickets, and information, like First Friday, which will be on June 1st where there will be a Delaware by Hand Trunk Show from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Biggs.
On Saturday, 6/9 Winescapes: Unplugged and Uncorked with Paul Cullen from 5 to 7 p.m. An evening of contemporary jazz. $35.
This is one of those jewels that are found just in your backyard….too crowded at the beach? Then head north. Just 45 minutes away.
They have a beautiful collection of Tall Clocks, as well.
Note: Information for this post was taken from Wikipedia, and Biggs Museum of American Art.
Have a good one!!
Tags: Activities, American Art in Dover, Art Museum in Dover, Biggs Museum of American Art, Capital of Delaware, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Dover, Events, Exhibits at the Biggs Museum, Kent County, Lewes, Museum in Dover Delaware, Sightseeing in Dover Delaware, Southern Delaware, Sussex County, Things to do at the beach, touring Dover, Traveling to Dover, Vacationing in Dover Delaware, What to do at the beaches, what to do in Dover
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