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Museum Background
Founded in 1933 following the bequest of Frank Lee and Annie Steese Baldwin of their home (the former home of Massillon's founder James Duncan) along with seed money for a public library and museum.
Funded by county intangible tax under the auspices of Massillon Public Library until 1988
Massillon Museum leaders worked with Ohio legislators to change state law to allow museums to seek ballot approval for funding, opening the door for Massillon Public Library and the Massillon Museum to become independent of each other with adequate funding for each.
Operated in the James Duncan home until December 31, 1994
Museum Facility
Opened in the current building on May 16, 1996
121 Lincoln Way East was built in 1931 by the Swanson Brothers as a dry goods store (first Gensemer's, then Stark Dry Goods, and later O'Neil's home furnishings department)
29,999 square feet
First Floor: Main exhibition gallery, lobby, OhRegionalities gift shop, reception desk, kitchen/cafe area
Second Floor: Permanent collection galleries, The Immel Circus, Photography Gallery, Paul L. David Sports Gallery, offices
Lower Level: Classrooms, Fred F. Silk Community Room/Studio M Gallery, offices, public restrooms
Museum Collections
More than 100,000 artifacts
Most of the collection has been donated by local residents and their families
Outstanding collections: photography, costumes, Native American pottery and baskets, The Peast Collection of Ethnological and Archaeological Objects, decorative arts, quilts, the Immel Circus
With the support of a prestigious Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant, the Museum is in the process of creating a storage environment to meet the most current Museum specifications
Recent Exhibition Highlights
"Darkrooms in a Digital Age: The Five Senses Explored in Photographs" (Fall 2007)
"Midwestern Visions of Impressionism: 1890 - 1930," a traveling exhibition originated at the Massillon Museum (Summer 2007)
"Coxey Complete," a fresh look at Massillon's consummate campaigner (2006-2007 Second Floor)
"1861-1865," depicting the American Civil War and its domestic ramifications accompanied by collaborative events with Massillon Public Library and the Lions Lincoln Theatre (2006)
"Zelda By Herself: The Art of Zelda Fitzgerald," accompanied by collaborative events with Massillon Public Library and the Lions Lincoln Theatre (2006)
"Adaptations: Artwork Inspired by the Massillon Museum's Permanent Collection," an innovative exhibition of current artwork reinterpreting artifacts from the Museum's permanent collection (2006)
"Breaking with Tradition: Ohio Women Painters, 1870 - 1950," a nationally noted traveling exhibition originated by the Massillon Museum (2005)
"William T. Mathews: Painter of Presidents," an exhibition featured in American Art Review (2005)
"Stark County Artists' Exhibition," annual juried show featuring community artists
Education Department
Three class sessions for children, teens, and adults each year
Gallery talks, workshops, book discussions, and films to augment exhibitions
Third Grade collaboration
School Tours
Traveling Treasures
Museum Programming
Monthly History Discussion Group
Monthly Brown Bag Lunch Series
Studio M - exhibition opportunities for local, regional, and national artists
Rhythms Concert Series
Special Events
Annual Island Party
Fun Fest co-sponsorship
Exhibition openings
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