Nelson-Akins Museum of Art

Uncirculated
Published by the Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City
Printed by "Colourpicture" Publications

Postcard Caption

William Rockhill Nelson Art Gallery and Atkins Museum of Fine Arts, located in one of Kansas City's finest residential areas, is considered outstanding among the most modern galleries in the world. With an endowment of  $11,000,000 the gallery owns many famous art pieces, features traveling collections, and, because of the war, is in possession of valuable collections sent here for the duration. More than 5,000 objects are on display in small, scientifically lighted and air-conditioned galleries, decorated according to viewing periods.

The original neo-classical building was completed in 1933. The new Bloch building was erected in 2007. Today, more than 30,000 pieces of art belong to the collection.

During World War II, over 150 pieces were sent to Nelson-Atkins for safe-keeping. Museums on the East Coast as well as galleries in Europe believe priceless pieces of art would be safer in the middle of the United States than in occupied France or near Washington, D.C. The Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) from the Phillips Collection, one of the largest canvases sent to Nelson-Atkins, generated much publicity and attendance.

Further Reading

• "The Monuments Men: Guarding Our Treasures," Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• "Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art," Google Cultural Institute

One of the Famous Institutions of Boston

Postmarked 24 July 1948

Boston, Massachusetts

Postcard Caption:

ROSE GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS IN THE FENWAY, BOSTON, MASS. / MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS was founded in 1870 and has grown to be one of the great museum of the world and is supported by the generosity of its friends and by private subscriptions. Admission is free to all. It is one of the famous institutions of Boston.

Postcard Message:

On my way now to this place of interest. So much to see May have to come again to see it all. I have a very pleasant place to stay Symphony Hall and Faneuil Hall and C.S. buildings near. Wish you could share sights with me. Cool this a.m. I thank you for all you did to help have such a good visit with Turners. / Love, / Mamamie / July 24, 1948

We love visiting the Museum of Fine Arts when we go to Boston. Here's our first trip, in 2010:

This is the interior, with a new Chihuly sculpture, in 2012:

The museum is no longer free, as it was in the 1940s, but seeing the wonderful pieces of art there is worth the price of admission.

Casts, Bronzes, and Marbles

Uncirculated

Postcard Caption:

Art Museum, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO. Located on Art Hill, Forest Park. Built during the World's Fair as a permanent building. Lovers of art will enjoy viewing the comprehensive collection of the works of the great artists of the world. Casts, bronzes, and marbles, perhaps the best in existence, form one of its most beautiful and interesting collections.

Saint Louis Art Museum Website 

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Many Unequaled Collections

Uncirculated
Published by Mason Bros. & Co.

POSTCARD CAPTION:

ART MUSEUM, BOSTON, MASS. Located in Fenway on Huntington Avenue. One of the finest in America. Contains many unequaled collections.

George and I enjoyed the Boston Museum of Fine Arts when we visited last January.

Such a Noise at Recess!

Postmarked 19 June 1951
Chicago, Illinois

Postcard Caption:

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY Jackson Park, located on the South Side, extending 1-1/9 miles along Lake Michigan from 56th to 67th streets. It is the site of the World's Columbia Exposition, 1893, and contains a number of landmarks, among them the museum.

Message:

June 19-1951-Tues / You'd love this wonderful place. I'm anxious to see it. I wrote Pope I'd be in Des Moines Friday P.M., 22nd on the Rock Island R.R. (6 hours). It's warm now-now rain 'till this A.M. I'm taking it easy and studying. Chi schools not out- a big one across the st-such a noise at recess! I'm still enjoying my sweet family-Love to all Mamo--

Even though I lived in Hyde Park for four years, I only visited the Museum of Science and Industry once. The only picture I can find in my personal collection is when I took pictures of Flat Stan around Chicago landmarks for my mother's elementary school class in Oklahoma. I like the pond better than the parking lot!


Museum of Science and Industry Website

Having Too Much Fun for War Time

Postmarked 17 June 1944
Claremore, Oklahoma

Message:

Hi, staying in Claremore to-night. In a juke joint getting cooled off. Had good steak dinner. Room fair. Saw capitols of Ill and Mo. and Miss and Missouri Rivers. Missouri beautiful through the Ozarks. Took some pictures. Small towns sure are different. Car just purrs. Hot, but I'm used to it now and doesn't bother us. Air conditioning means fans I've discovered. Having too much fun for war time. Seems like Bill had never been away. Leaving early in the morning Came 750 mi ---

Will Rogers Memorial Museums

Thanks to Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday!

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Uncirculated

Postcard Caption:

PHILADELPHIA ART MUSEUM. This finest of American art museums stands on an elevation at at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway entering Fairmount Park. It houses some of the most famous collections of art objects in the world. Open 10:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily, including Sundays.

A photograph of the museum that I took in the mid-to-late 1990s:



Philadelphia Museum of Art website

Don't You Love Him?

Postmarked 21 August 1913
Chestnut Hill, MA

Message:

Dear E - Don't you love him? Next winter you and I must go and call on him together at the museum. - Auntie

Don't you wonder if E and Auntie ever made it to the museum to see the white fox in person? The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston still owns this piece, but it is not on display. However, if you click on the link and search for "White Fox," you can see a reproduction of the piece in color.

Corning Museum of Glass

Postmarked Corning, NY 1954