Fenimore Art Museum

Nestled along the shores of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New York, the Fenimore Art Museum offers a distinctive blend of American art, history, and culture in a serene and inspiring setting. Housed in a stately 1930s neo-Georgian mansion that was once the home of Edward Severin Clark, the museum provides a deeply personal and immersive experience that reflects the richness of American heritage.

The Fenimore Art Museum is particularly renowned for its outstanding collections of American folk art, Native American art and artifacts, and 19th- and 20th-century American fine art. Its holdings include rare pieces of Iroquois craftsmanship, intricate beadwork, ceremonial masks, and one of the most important collections of American folk paintings in the country. The Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, gifted by Eugene and Clare Thaw, is a cornerstone of the museum’s offerings and highlights the diversity and depth of indigenous cultures across North America.

Beyond its permanent collections, Fenimore hosts a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibitions that explore a wide range of topics, from early American portraiture to contemporary indigenous artists. Each exhibition is thoughtfully curated to foster dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation.

Visitors are invited not only to view exceptional works of art but also to engage with the museum through lectures, workshops, performances, and educational programs that serve both local communities and national audiences. The surrounding gardens and lake views further enhance the museum experience, offering moments of reflection and natural beauty.

Fenimore Art Museum stands as a cultural hub where art, history, and storytelling converge. It celebrates the enduring spirit of creativity and the shared narratives that shape American identity, inviting all who visit to explore the layers of meaning behind each artifact and artwork it preserves.