The tradition of collecting art at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College dates to 1907, when the senior class commissioned the painter William Merritt Chase to paint the portrait of the College’s first president. Following this commission, it became a tradition for notable American artists to paint the portraits of the presidents. Lousie Jordan Smith, the first professor of art at the College, was instrumental in further developing the collection. It was her belief that the firsthand study of art was essential to a liberal arts education and her efforts assured that the Museum plays an integral role in the educational experience at the College. The Museum is also an important cultural resource for the entire region.

A bequest from Smith helped to establish an endowed acquisition fund. Later professors followed Smith’s example and became important collectors on behalf of the collection. The paintings and works on paper that comprised the collection were displayed in College buildings campus wide until 1977, when they were installed in what is now the Maier Museum building. A major grant from the Sarah and Pauline Maier Scholarship Foundation, in 1982, allowed the College to make crucial improvements to the building, and the Museum was dedicated to the Maier family.

The collection at the Maier Museum of Art focuses exclusively on American Art, which makes it a unique institution among other college and university art museums. The two major movements that are particularly well represented in the collection are American Impressionism and early 20th century Realism. The collection also contains contemporary works by living artists, as well as important works by women artists.

Notable artists included in the Museum’s holdings are Frederick Childe Hassam, George Bellows, Gilbert Stuart, Georgia O’Keeffe, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, George Inness, James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt, John Marin, Maurice Prendergrast, William Eggleston and Sally Mann. In addition, the Museum hosts traveling and temporary exhibitions, and offers a regular schedule of tours and educational programs.

Hours (August 19 - May 20): Tuesday - Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM, closed Mondays; also closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter and most national holidays

Summer Hours (May 21 - August 18)Wednesday - Sunday 1 PM - 4 PM, closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Admission: Free

Location: The Maier Museum of Art is located on the campus of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg.
For tickets/information, call: 804-947-8136
Hours to call: 24-hour information line

Admission to the Maier Museum is free at all times. A fee may be charged for special events held at the Museum; the Maier Museum does not accept credit card as admission payment; call the phone number listed above for more information.
Visit their Web site at: http://www.rmwc.edu/Maier/