The Return of the Princeton University Art Museum

The Princeton University Art Museum was a such an important part of Ashley's childhood. When she was younger, we became members so she could take art classes with Hope. In high school she visited the art museum on a field trip. Looking through the blog, there was a special trip to parents and alumni to participate in an Art and Spirituality Day that took us to the museum.

The museum shut down during the pandemic in order to be knocked down and rebuilt. Though we knew it was coming, the pandemic meant we didn't have a chance to say adieu. The university had cool programs planned, including watching curators preserve mosaic floors that were cemented into the floor of the old building. Instead they put on masks and silently moved the artwork to safety. The building was razed, and in its place, a new building was raised.

While it was closed, a pop up gallery appeared on Hulfish Street with newer artwork, temporary exhibits. I often stopped inside, but it was no competition for the real one.

A couple of months ago the university announced the museum would reopen on Halloween with a 24-hour party from 5 pm on October 31 to 5 pm on November 1. We knew we wanted to go. We just didn't know Don's schedule.

I arrived around 8 pm after the final day of digging at Fort Mifflin. Don arrived an hour later after work. The new museum is much larger. I'm sure there are official statistics. It now includes a restaurant (which accepts reservations). Most of the artwork is on the second floor. The first floor has a temporary exhibit space, a giant lobby, and a gift shop. The third floor is home to their offices.

The place was hopping! I was surprised I only bumped into one person I know (Jennifer), but looking at my FB feed, others were there. Our visits either did not overlap, or we were looking at artwork when we passed each other.

I felt as if I was visiting old friends in new places. I recognized some of my old favorites, just in new places. Monet's Water Lilies. Peale's giant portrait of General Washington. Medusa. They are back! 

I know the museum is physically larger, but I felt as if some sections were smaller. There felt like less Impressionist art (my favorite). Plus the artwork is mostly on one floor instead of two. On the other hand, the Princeton Collects room felt much, much larger. 

They held a contest inviting people to dress as their favorite piece of art. I saw a "woman with a pearl earring" and a "General Washington," but this woman painting a copy of a Mary Cassatt painting and then climbing inside it was the best! Later we saw someone else carrying a painting she made as if she was the wall. Still creative.

I was a little disappointed in my lack of creative juices. I should have been able to come up with something. Instead I wore my Pillsbury Doughboy sweater, a nod to the cooler temperatures.

We look forward to returning on a day when the sun is streaming through the windows and there aren't crowds lined up slowly climbing the stairs. On that day I'll look around and imagine the place crowded with people of all ages -- from infants to senior citizens -- many in costumes, most in groups welcoming back their "old friends" as they make new ones.