I wrote this post on behalf of The Rockwell Museum. Mama to 5 Blessings received admission tickets for my family in exchange for an honest review.
More than a museum displaying exquisite pieces, The Rockwell is a unique community center where people enjoy, connect, and reflect on the essence of the American spirit, character and values through the eyes of American artists.
Just down the street from The Corning Museum of Glass, The Rockwell Museum is the perfect place for children to learn about American art and past cultures. With a diverse, unique collection, gifted by Bob and Hertha Rockwell.
The Rockewell Museum is family friendly with areas such as the Family Exploration Studio. Children can create, read and play in the studio:
- Using their imaginations children can create their own mythical being! Cut out, draw or trace circles, squares, triangles, faces, hands, feet, claws, wings, tails, etc. to make a mythical creature.
- Write a story! Kids can tell a story or ask a grownup to write it down for them. For inspiration, look at paintings and sculptures of animals throughout The Rockwell.
- Read stories about animals – real, imaginary and legendary! Then look for the real and imaginary animals in the collection galleries throughout The Rockwell.
- Design your own landscape, inspired by the works on view in the galleries! Using their imaginations to create a pretend place – a sunset, a forest, a mountain view, a canyon, a field.
- Memory Game! Slide the puzzle pieces on the table to make a pot inspired by our pottery display.
- Re-create the masterpiece with a magnetic puzzle. Piece together the image of “The Tanner” and then see if you can find the painting, “The Tanner” on the third floor.
My kids loved the studio because everything was hands on and they not only got to play but they got to create and learn. Plus throughout the museum children do a art scavenger hunt looking for various pieces of art on their list and in the end they get a little reward from the museum.
The Museum continues to honor and build upon art collections related to the North American West and the cultures of American Indians. It was the first time my children got to see up close American Indian outer clothing garments to the headdresses. We stood there amazed at the craftsmanship and the authenticity of these items and what it may have been like while this American Indian wore the items.
The Collection is more than a sampling of traditional American artists – the pieces housed within the Museum walls convey the story of the American experience. A diverse and unique display, the artwork prompts us to think critically and challenge our conceptions of the great American West and the people who live there.
Our collections and rotating exhibits serve great purpose in the community. These works of art are functional teaching pieces – they present some of our best opportunities to connect with our audiences, young and old.
The building that houses this wonderful collection is rich in history as well. The Rockwell found a permanent home in the Old City Hall building. Old City Hall is a work of art in its own right, and is a cornerstone of Corning, NY. Constructed in 1893, the building has architectural details, but was devastated in 1972 by flooding caused by Hurricane Agnes.
Corning Incorporated rallied the local community in support of the building with a capital campaign to generate the $2.5 million necessary for restoration. From 1980-1982, Old City Hall underwent a grand renovation to restore and resurface both the interior and the exterior. During the process, the entire space was re-imagined as a new museum experience.
With its historic details preserved, including tin ceilings and the iron door to the women’s jail, the venue offers relics that serve as frequent reminders of our rich history.
If you are going to Upstate New York this is a must stop. It is a great place to learn about American history through art.
Follow The Rockwell Museum on Facebook for updates. I wrote this post on behalf of The Rockwell Museum. Mama to 5 Blessings received admission tickets for my family in exchange for an honest review.
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This is not a sponsored review and all views and opinions are of my own and were not influenced in any way. Mama to 5 Blessings is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I absolutely LOVE this! The best way to get kids interested in learning is to give them an interesting way to do it. Great!
I couldn’t agree more. My kids learn the best that way.
What a cool place. Kids are always more interested in things when it’s interactive. Otherwise, they just get bored.
We love museums, the next time I’m in your area… I need to pay Rockwell a visit.
This looks like an amazing place to visit! I would love to travel with the family to see this, seems fun and educational at the same time.
This sounds like a wonderful place to take my son. We have family in the upstate NY area so next time we visit, we’ll be sure to stop by the Rockwell Museum 🙂
I love a good hands on museum. I’ll have to add this to my destination list. THANKS for the heads up. Looks like you guys had a great day!
Kas
What a gem! I love places where both myself and the kids can get an education and enjoyable time!
Wowza, what an awesome museum. That is the kind of place we could spend an entire day at.
If I am ever in Upstate New York I will have to visit this museum! It looks like a great family outing and very hands on!
I think it is so important to take children into museums. They learn about history and the importance of preserving Americas past,
This looks like a wonderful place to visit and educational too!
This seems like a fascinating museum. Looks like the kids had a lot of fun while learning history.
wow, what an amazing day. i’ll have to take my girls soon because this is just an hour away from us.
I remember museums as a place where I had to be quiet and keep my hands in my pockets.
Love that it has changed and they are more hands on!
We haven’t taken the kids to a museum ever.. time to change that!
Can’t imagine what they are missing out on.
That is why my one son hates museums because other people only took him to ones that were like that. I can not seem to convince hi otherwise now.
I absolutely love museums, we try and visit one on each trip we take. this one sounds so very educational, which is key for me!
Rockwell Museum looks amazing! Interactive learning is the best learning, if you ask me.
Wow, what a great place to visit. I have to add it to my list the next time we are in NY
It looks like they had a great time while learning. I have always been a huge fan of recycling.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a museum. I really need to visit my local one. I love the idea of doing a scavenger hunt with the kids.
This has been on my list of places to visit. Looks like a great time and fun learning experience!
Such a great and educational place to take the kids!
Looks like such a fun place to visit! I think my family would spend most of our time at the family exploration studio!
Oh my goodness, what a great place to visit. We are planning a trip to NYC for next year and will have to put this on the list.
One of these days I’m going to make my way up to New York. Will check out this museum.
Looks like the kids had a blast! What a great place to explore!
It is so interactive for kids! I think museums are an important part of life no matter how young or old you are! I hope I can visit this one one day…gotta put it on my bucket list!
Although I’m a NYer I’ve never been here so would love to take the kids when we go back to NY.
This sounds like such a good pace for a day out as a family! Thank you for sharing!
What a cool place for kids! I will put this on my to-do list for when we visit next.
I live in NYC and have never heard of this one. I have to check it out with my daughter.
The scavenger hunt really helps them pay attention to what they’re seeing. This museum sounds worth visiting at any age.
We’re contemplating going to NY next summer so I’ll definitely have to put this on the things we want to do list!!
Looks like a really fun place to visit. My daughter would really enjoy it.
Awesome museum. Wonderful and beautiful displays.
I love taking my boys to museums. This one looks like it has plenty of interactive activities to keep little ones busy.
This looks like a fun museum to visit. The next time I make it up that way I will have to check it out.
My daughter would love the magnetic puzzle. She loves puzzles. I also enjoy visiting museums that are so hands on for the kids to learn.
It’s been way too long since I’ve been to NY. Id love to take the kids here!
That looks like a beautiful museum and a great learning place for kids!
I love museums. This Rockwell museum reminds me of the Columbus Museum of Art with the hands on and creative center and the family friendly atmosphere. Such a great way to spend a day.
Oh I wish I could take the kids someplace like this! Great fun and learning experience.
What a cool museum. I love that they have so many activities for kids.
I’ve never been to New York and haven’t heard of the Rockwell Museum before. It looks like there are plenty of activities for kids of all ages.
Well, this looks like a ton of fun!
Oh such fun! I love museums. Looks like a lot of entertainment for the kids!
I absolutely love museums. Especially the kind that let you and your kids touch and explore them. This looks like a great one! Thanks for sharing.
I love that! Definitely something I would have to visit sometime.
I’ve always been a fan of Norman Rockwell. That would be a fun museum to visit.