[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2014

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Montclair 
Art Museum, located in the Township of Montclair in Essex, County, New 
Jersey, as it celebrates its Centennial Anniversary.
  When the Montclair Art Museum opened in 1914, it was not only one of 
the country's first museums to primarily focus on American and Native 
American art, but also was one of the first museums in the nation to be 
accredited by the American Association of Museums. The museum's 
collections began with gifts from Montclair residents, which acted as 
the foundation of its holdings. The American collection started with a 
gift of 36 paintings from William T. Evans, while the Native American 
collection was initiated by Mrs. Henry Lang, both co-founders of the 
museum. When the museum opened, it dedicated a gallery to America's 
landscape painter George Innes, who spent the last nine years of his 
life creating artwork in Montclair, New Jersey.
  In 1924, the museum founded its art school, now known as the Yard 
School of Art. The school has operated continually since then, offering 
a wide spectrum of artistic courses to children, teenagers, and adults. 
In 2011, the school added a Ceramics Studio and Digital Media 
Laboratory. Two additional programs include training for teachers in 
the arts, and a new contemporary art program. The museum provides 
programs for seniors and special needs individuals, as well.
  Since the opening in 1914, the Museum's collection has grown to over 
12,000 works. The American collection includes paintings, drawings, 
prints, sculptures, and photographs dating from the 18th Century to the 
present and features works by Benjamin West, Asher B. Durand, John 
Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Andy Warhol. The 
Native American Collection contains over 4,000 pieces including 
basketry, pottery, and jewelry from various cultural areas across the 
United States. The museum also features young and emerging artists.
  The Montclair Art Museum maintains a strong sense of community 
presence through its public and family programs. Each year, 10,000 
students from Kindergarten to twelfth grade visit the museum, coming 
from 190 school districts. The museum also holds events such as Family 
Days, Montclair Art Museum Park Bench, Home School Days, Family 
Learning Laboratory, and birthday parties.
  As it celebrates its Centennial, the Montclair Art Museum continues 
to work towards bettering its education programs, outreach efforts, 
exhibitions, and informing and inspiring diverse audiences.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Montclair Art Museum, its trustees, staff and many volunteers, as 
they celebrate their Centennial Anniversary.

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