[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 136 (Thursday, August 16, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FARNSWORTH MUSEUM

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, ME, which is celebrating its 70th 
anniversary this year. The Farnsworth Museum highlights Maine and 
American art, proudly holding one of the largest collections of works 
by sculptor Louise Nevelson, a Rockland, ME, native and features works 
by Andrew, N.C., and Jamie Wyeth in its Wyeth Center. Their nationally 
recognized collection fills over 20,000 square feet of gallery space 
and contains more than 15,000 works of art. The Farnsworth has been a 
longtime supporter of the arts and a positive presence in the Rockland 
community.
  Officially opening in August 1948, Lucy Farnsworth turned the estate 
left to her by her parents, William Alden Farnsworth and Mary Catherine 
Sprague, into a $1.3 million legacy that would later become the William 
A. Farnsworth Library and Art Museum in memory of her father. Over the 
course of next several years, the Farnsworth amassed an impressive 
collection of American art, opening the Andrew Wyeth Gallery in 1968, 
presenting a major exhibition of works by Louis Nevelson in 1976, and, 
in 2000, opening both the Jamien Morehouse Wing, to display larger and 
more in-depth exhibitions, and the Wyeth Research Center, dedicated to 
scholarly research and the development of a groundbreaking computer 
database program.
  In addition to the beautiful art on display, the Farnsworth has been 
a long contributor to Maine communities and is a tourist destination 
for many visitors. In 1999, the Farnsworth celebrated the permanent 
collection, ``Maine in America,'' as well as the naming of director 
Chris Crossman as the recipient of the Kathryn M. Weare Award for 
Achievement in honor of his contributions and service to the Maine 
community. Additionally, the Farnsworth established the Art Initiative 
for Maine Schools, AIMS, to encourage Maine children to participate in 
tours and workshop programs and created Julia's Gallery for Young 
Artists to educate people on the operations aspect of museums. In 2004, 
Julia's Gallery for Young Artists received the Maine College of Art 
Award for Leadership in Arts Education.
  The Farnsworth is also the steward of the Farnsworth Homestead and 
the Olson House. The homestead is listed on the National Register of 
Historic Places and was the home built for William A. Farnsworth and 
his family. The Olson House, a National Historic Landmark, located in 
Cushing, ME, is the late 19th century farm that was home to Alvaro and 
Christina Olson and the inspiration for hundreds of works by Andrew 
Wyeth.
  These examples and many more highlight the importance of the 
Farnsworth Museum to the Maine community and all those who visit our 
great State. I applaud the Farnsworth Art Museum on their achievements 
over the past 70 years and look forward to their continued success as a 
positive driving force in the State of Maine for many more years to 
come.

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