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WAM’s: Kennedy to Kent State

The Worcester Art Museum presents an exhibition of some of the most powerful American photographs of the 1960s, the images through which the country shared that dynamic period and by which it is remembered. All from the museum’s permanent collection, these photographs were collected by Howard G. Davis, III to recall and reflect upon his memories of the era that had formed his personality. The images date from 1958 to 1975, and include the presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy, as well as the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the American space program and its mission to the moon, the antiwar movement and counterculture.

Open to General Admission September 30, 2012 — February 3, 2013

The crowds at the opening reception of Kennedy to Kent State
The crowds at the opening reception of Kennedy to Kent State
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Open the Front Doors to the Museum

Salisbury Street Doors of the Worcester Art Museum

Since his appointment as the director of the Worcester Art Museum six months ago, Matthias Waschek has instituted a museum-wide initiative to provide multiple points of access for visitors. To help emphasize this point, the Museum has kicked-off an aggressive fundraising campaign to support the re-opening of the famed Salisbury doors (the entrance on Salisbury Street).

The museum, which initially reached out to its members and received an overwhelming response, is now hoping the public will lend their support to reach the goal of raising $60,000.

Salisbury Street Doors of the Worcester Art Museum“Opening the front doors of the museum, with the help of our members and community, jumpstarts our museum-wide philosophy of providing access,” said Waschek. “In addition, the Salisbury Street entrance allows our guests to enter directly into the Renaissance Court which we believe is truly the cornerstone of the Museum,” he added.

The doors were originally closed, except for weekends and special events, a few years ago when the economy weakened and the museum had to explore ways to reduce expenses. With the cost of keeping the doors open full-time in the tens of thousands of dollars annually, it proved to be a tough, but necessary decision to make. And the museum has been hearing about it from members and visitors ever since.

“The front doors are a traditional symbol of welcome—if the doors are closed, visitors will think we don’t want them here,” adds Waschek. “We want the opposite.”

Anyone interested in making a donation, can visit the museum’s website at worcesterart.org or call 508-793-4323.