The Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia has officially opened its transformative $20 million expansion on November 1, marking a significant milestone for the institution dedicated to celebrating regional artists. The expansion features the newly renovated 17,000-square-foot Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art and Education, a converted 19th-century mansion located adjacent to the original museum building. The ambitious project includes 14 new galleries, an education studio, and four acres of additional green space that enhances the museum's campus.

The museum's expansion comes after a legal victory against the Trump administration, which had initially withdrawn federal funding for the project. Earlier this year, Woodmere successfully secured a $750,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services after filing a lawsuit to restore the cancelled funding. The grant will support digitization efforts for the museum's collection, conservation work, and catalog updates.

The newly opened Maguire Hall complements the original Charles Knox Smith Hall, named after the museum's founder who was a prominent local mining magnate and art collector. Smith purchased the Woodmere estate in 1898 specifically to house his extensive art collection, which included more than 2,000 works at the time of his death in 1916. In his will, Smith specified that the estate and its grounds should become a public museum to benefit his hometown community, reflecting his belief that art and nature provided a spiritual path.

The transition from private residence to public museum proved challenging, with various legal obstacles delaying the process for decades. The Woodmere Art Museum finally opened its doors to the public in 1940, featuring six acres of green space and galleries displaying masterpieces from Smith's bequest. Notable works in the original collection included Frederic Edwin Church's "Sunset in the Berkshire Hills" (1857) and a Carrara marble bust of Abraham Lincoln (circa 1868) by Sarah Fisher Ames.

"Smith lived downtown but bought the estate because he wanted a place to experience art and nature together," explained William Valerio, the museum's director and chief executive. "He believed that art and nature were a path to God. We might not use those words today, but art and nature are indeed spiritual and lift the soul." This philosophy continues to guide the museum's mission and expansion efforts.

Since Smith's death, the museum has significantly expanded its collection through acquisitions and donations that align with the founder's vision of championing Philadelphia artists. The collection has grown to encompass more than 8,000 works by regional artists, including important examples by Pennsylvania Impressionists. The museum maintains particularly strong holdings of prints and works on paper, featuring approximately 3,000 studies and preparatory sketches by Violet Oakley (1874-1961), who was the first American woman artist to receive a major public mural commission.

The building that now houses Maguire Hall has its own rich history dating back to 1855. After changing hands privately several times, the structure came into the possession of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the 1920s and served as a convent for nearly a century. By the time it became available for purchase in 2021, the building had deteriorated substantially, leading the four remaining sisters to relinquish the estate to the museum.

The acquisition of the second building was made possible through a generous gift from the Maguire Foundation, which honored the late Frances M. Maguire, an artist and philanthropist who had served on Woodmere's board. The museum collaborated with Matthew Baird Architects, Krieger and Associates Architects, and landscape architecture firm Andropogon Associates to revitalize the historic structure while preserving its original character and architectural integrity.

The two museum buildings are now seamlessly connected by a public sidewalk and surrounded by expanded green space featuring outdoor sculptures. Notable installations include monumental works by Robinson Fredenthal, including "White Water" and "On the Rocks" (both from 1978), which enhance the museum's commitment to displaying art in natural settings.

The five largest galleries in the new Maguire Hall are specifically dedicated to showcasing works by living artists, featuring pieces by contemporary creators such as Doug Bucci, Didier William, Barbara Bullock, Barbara Chase-Riboud, and Peter Paone. This focus on contemporary work represents an evolution of Smith's original vision while maintaining the museum's commitment to regional artists.

"The Woodmere collection is one of the great collections of American art, and to be able to show the collection is a game-changer," Valerio emphasized. "Unless you're a curator or historian of American art, you may not know what's here, because we haven't had space to show it. That is what should be driving attendance in the future: people will know our collection and know that it's something to come see and experience."

The museum currently welcomes approximately 50,000 visitors annually and hopes to double that figure with the completion of its expanded facilities. Special opening programs for the new space include jazz performances and ceremonial blessings of the grounds, featuring both the sisters who previously lived in the former convent and members of the Lenape tribal community, acknowledging the land's deeper historical significance.

With its expanded exhibition space, enhanced educational facilities, and improved ability to display its remarkable collection, the Woodmere Art Museum is positioned to become an even more significant cultural destination in Philadelphia. The successful completion of this major expansion, despite federal funding challenges, demonstrates the institution's resilience and commitment to serving its community while honoring its founder's original vision of making art accessible to all.