Hermitage Museum and Gardens

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia, offers a unique combination of art, history, and nature. Centered around an early 20th-century Arts and Crafts style mansion, the museum presents both historic and contemporary exhibitions while preserving the spirit of its founders, William and Florence Sloane. Originally built in 1908 as a modest summer retreat, the house grew under Florence Sloane’s vision into a grand forty-two-room residence overlooking the Lafayette River. Surrounded on three sides by water, the property spans twelve acres of formal gardens, woodlands, and educational wetlands, creating a serene environment where art and nature coexist.

The Sloanes were passionate collectors and dedicated patrons of the arts. Their collection reflects a global perspective, with works ranging from Asian ceramics to European paintings, African artifacts, and American decorative arts. Many pieces were acquired through Florence Sloane’s personal relationships with artists, leaving the museum with a collection that is both intimate and culturally diverse. Beyond their private holdings, the Sloanes played a vital role in shaping Norfolk’s cultural life, contributing to the establishment of what later became the Chrysler Museum of Art.

To ensure their vision endured, the couple founded the Hermitage Foundation in 1937. Their intent was to foster creativity and provide the community with access to the arts. By 1942, the Hermitage opened permanently to the public, remaining both a museum and a living center for cultural exchange. Florence Sloane continued to live on the estate until her passing in 1953, keeping the spirit of the house alive through her personal involvement.

Today, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens stands as a dynamic cultural destination. Its blend of historic architecture, world-spanning collections, lush gardens, and contemporary art programming makes it not only a treasure of Hampton Roads but also a lasting tribute to the Sloanes’ commitment to art and community.