Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's Establishment: Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Museum for Folk Art
In the early 20th century, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (1874–1948) emerged as a trailblazer in the world of American art, with a particular focus on folk art. Her passion for this genre significantly impacted the cultural landscape, leading to the establishment of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum (AARFAM) in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Rockefeller, the daughter of U.S. Senator Nelson W. Aldrich and wife of John D. Rockefeller Jr., was a prominent art collector who played a pivotal role in the founding of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City[1][3]. However, it was her personal collection of American folk art that truly set her apart.
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's philanthropic interest in folk art led to the expansion of the cultural appreciation of this genre. Her collection, which she began amassing in the 1920s, was instrumental in the establishment of AARFAM. This museum, named in her honour, was one of the first institutions dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of American folk art, helping to elevate its status as a serious and valued field of art history[1].
Edith Gregor Halpert was Rockefeller's primary source of folk material. Halpert's gallery, the first commercial art space in Greenwich Village, provided a wealth of pieces that enriched Rockefeller's collection[2]. Rockefeller believed that art "enriches the spiritual life and makes one more sane and sympathetic, more observant, and understanding, as well as being good for one's nerves"[4].
In 1939, Rockefeller's loan to Colonial Williamsburg became a permanent gift, ensuring the future of the collection[5]. The exhibition "The Art of the Common Man in America: 1750-1900" was organised by Holger Cahill in 1932, featuring American folk art anonymously loaned by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller[6]. The exhibition officially opened at Williamsburg on March 31, 1935, marking the country's first structure devoted exclusively to the public display of American folk art[7].
Today, AARFAM, located at 301 South Nassau Street, Williamsburg, VA, continues to uphold Rockefeller's legacy. The museum contains eleven galleries with rotating exhibitions on various forms of folk art[8]. It is part of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and offers information about exhibits, events, and community activities on their website at www.colonialwilliamsburg.org.
Rockefeller's donation to Colonial Williamsburg has since expanded exponentially, but remains representative of the forms, motivations, and expressions that initially inspired her to collect[3]. Her efforts helped institutionalize folk art as a significant cultural and artistic tradition in the United States, reflecting her broader influence on American arts philanthropy[1].
References: [1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abby-Aldrich-Rockefeller [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/arts/design/abby-rockefeller-and-edith-gregor-halpert-a-partnership-in-folk-art.html [3] https://www.moma.org/about/history/founding/ [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/arts/design/abby-rockefeller-and-edith-gregor-halpert-a-partnership-in-folk-art.html [5] https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/about/history/abby-aldrich-rockefeller-folk-art-museum.html [6] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abby-Aldrich-Rockefeller [7] https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/about/history/abby-aldrich-rockefeller-folk-art-museum.html [8] https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/explore/attractions/abby-aldrich-rockefeller-folk-art-museum.html
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's home-and-garden was adorned with her extensive collection of American folk art, demonstrating her passion for this genre. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, a testament to her philanthropic pursuits, continues to exhibit and preserve various forms of folk art, fostering an appreciation for this unique lifestyle.
