Wadsworth Atheneum - Hartford, CT

America’s oldest public art museum belongs to Hartford, Connecticut. The Wadsworth Atheneum was created in the 1840s by Daniel Wadsworth, son of one of the oldest and most prestigious families in Hartford. They contributed many pieces to the collection, and since then the Wadsworth has been a place of “firsts.”

Here the Russian ballet master George Balanchine created his company, now known as the New York City Ballet, performing first at the Wadsworth in 1934. This museum was the first in the US to acquire the works of Salvador Dalí, Frederic Church, Piet Mondrian, among others, the first to display an exhibition surrealist art in 1931. Picasso was shown in 1934. Dramatic performances, music and dance performances have been held in this magnificent castle on Main Street.

If you’ve not been to the Wadsworth, an impressive treat awaits you, a parade of our cultural history from the massive Trumbulls depicting historic scenes in the Morgan Great Hall, to the display of modern furniture design up on the third floor.

For more on the Wadsworth Atheneum, have a look at this website.