The Old West – In New York?

On our latest road trip, one of our first stops was the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning New York.  Most people wouldn’t expect to find a large collection of western art in upper New York State…but this museum is a big attraction in Corning.

Laurie took this photo after dinner at Aniello’s Pizzeria.  The Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in Corning’s former City Hall.  The building was vacated in 1972 after major flooding caused by hurricane Agnes.  After a major fund raising effort, the structure was completely restored and renovated during 1981/1982 to serve as a first class museum facility for the Rockwell collection.

Here are a few representative non-flash photos of the collection that Laurie took during our visit to the museum.

This is a painting by N.C. Wyeth from 1918, entitled “I shall never forget the sight.  It was like a great green sea.”

This is “The Buffalo Hunt” painted by William Robinson Leigh in 1947.  The complete collection also includes many wildlife paintings of Elk, Moose, Wolves, Bear, Fox, etc.

This is our photo of a Sioux-Dakota Headdress from around 1865.  It’s in pristine condition!  The headdress is composed of buckskin, feathers, dyed quills, ermine, horsehair and tin.

The collection covers a broad spectrum of western art…or artifacts.  This nifty little ‘Range Rider’ toy must have been a great toy back in the day!  Other items in various mediums on display also include pottery and weavings.

This great piece of art work, entitled “Cutting Out a Steer” was completed by Frederic Remington back in 1888.  Exhibits also include a variety of works by George Catlin and Charles Marion Russell.

This classic sculpture, titled “The Bronco Buster”, was completed by Frederic Remington in 1895.  There are a large number of sculptures in the museum, ranging from old classics to sleek new interpretations of people and animals. 

This is probably Laurie’s favorite painting… It’s entitled “A Morning Shower” and it was painted by Frank Tenney Johnson in 1927.  Many other paintings on exhibit were of wildlife, western vistas as well as modern interpretations of the west. 

The core of the Rockwell Museum’s collection was accumulated by Bob & Bertha Rockwell.  Bob Rockwell’s family had a ranch in Colorado but his businesses were focused where he met his wife…in Corning NY.  For years, the collection was displayed around the town, and especially in the family’s department store.  Then, in 1974, the Corning Glass Works offered to fund a museum if the Rockwell’s would donate their collection for display. 

This was really a nice museum to visit.  The displays and art works are top notch, the museum wasn’t too small and it wasn’t too large…important to us since our attention span isn’t too long!  The price was right as well.  Admission is only $5.50 per adults over 55 years of age as well as students and AAA members, $3.00 for local residents and $6.50 for all others.  Discounted combo tickets with the Corning Museum of Glass are also available.

(Note: We visited the Corning Museum of Glass on an earlier trip…and it is a first class museum as well)

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located at 111 Cedar Street in Corning New York.   Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM daily, with extended hours in the summer time.  Phone: 607-937-5386.  Website: http://www.rockwellmuseum.org/.

Just click on any of the photo to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave