On This Day in 1941

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On This Day in 1941

March 16, 2015 by kellywalkerstudios

The National Gallery of Art opened on this day in 1941. “Originally conceived by Andrew Mellon, the wealthy U.S. industrialist, the plans for the gallery began in 1935. Mellon donated the land and construction plans to the nation, along with his own art collection. Congress voted to establish the National Gallery, and construction as well as acquisition of art works began in 1937. The gallery was completed in 1941. President Roosevelt dedicated it in March of that year, and its first exhibition, Two Hundred American Watercolors, opened in May. Many additions to both buildings and art collections have been made in the intervening years, and today the museum presents not only art works but lectures, performances, and concerts.” – from http://www.cosmeo.com Read more about the National Gallery of Art and explore the collection on their website by clicking here.