Anderson Museum of Art

The Anderson Museum of Art is located in an exquisite example of a former Carnegie Library in Indiana. My jaw dropped when I entered and saw the elegant scrollwork and magnificent stained glass rotunda.The former library, now is home to the Anderson Museum of Art. The Arts Education Outreach Specialist, Molly, was welcoming and informative about the building and museum. We paid a small admission fee ($3) to visit the museum.Today, the museum promotes the arts with two front galleries that hold juried exhibits. A third gallery holds works of local artists. Funds from a small gift shop are used to continue restoration of the building. A small frame shop is also available to purchase custom frames. Downstairs is a Children's Art Center and classroom. The facility also hosts events, such as weddings. Construction of the Beaux-Arts style building started in 1903. The mayor of Anderson had requested a grant from Andrew Carnegie. The city received $50,000 from Carnegie and finished the building in 1905 at a cost of $52,000. Kokomo Opalescent Glass provided the glass for the breathtaking rotunda dome. The building served as a library until 1987, replaced by a modern facility. The building sat idle for nine years after 1987 resulting in extensive water damage. Restoration efforts have been possible through gifts from art patrons and grants from the city of Anderson. Some of the fixtures are period pieces or reproductions. I highly recommend a visit if you like art and history. There is free parking in front of the building.