Oberlin museum celebrates centennial

The Allen Memorial Art Museum celebrated its 100th anniversary much the way anyone would: with cake.

Members of the community flocked to the museum, 87 N. Main St. in Oberlin, on June 12 to grab a piece of cake and celebrate a century of bringing artwork to the city free of charge.

The John G.W. Cowles director of the museum Andria Derstine said the facility was started as a resource for students at Oberlin College.

Derstine said the College already had begun receiving works of art by donation in the 19th century.

A couple named Dudley Peter Allen and Elizabeth Severance Allen, who along with architect Cass Gilbert, sought to give those artworks a home, she said.

“Partway into it, Dudley suddenly died of a heart attack, but Mrs. Allen decided to go ahead with the plans and that’s why we’re the Allen Memorial Art Museum,” Derstine said. “It’s named in honor of her husband, Dudley, who was an alum of Oberlin from the class of 1875.”

Derstine said an addition was built in 1977, but that only added a single gallery to the museum.

“Most of the building is this 1917 building that’s celebrating the centennial,” she said.

The museum now is home to more than 15,000 artworks which are used in the curriculum at the College,.

Derstine, however, emphasized

the art museum is free and open to the public.

“We’ve always been, since the very day we opened 100 years ago today; we’ve always been open free to all,” she said.

Oberlin College student Tre Quarles, 20, of Indianapolis, was perusing the work displayed in the Nord Gallery that houses 14th-16th Century art.

Quarles said the museum has been integrated into some of his classes.

“I’ve often come here for assignments and it’s given me a deeper appreciation of the art that’s been (displayed) here,” he said.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Oberlin College students Tre Quarles, 20, of Indianapolis, and Jenny Pham, 21, of Chicago, admire “The Crucified Christ” by Maria Josefa Sánchez during a visit June 12, of the Allen Memorial Art Museum. The fine arts facility, located at 87 N. Main St....

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Guests flock to the Allen Memorial Art Museum, 87 N. Main St. in Oberlin, to celebrate the museum’s 100th anniversary June 12.