A new museum of old gems

CANAJOHARIE -- For more than 75 years, the attractive stone building on Erie Boulevard housed both the local library and a small portion of a stunning collection of American art.

The Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery was built in 1925 through funds contributed by Bartlet Arkell, the man who created the sprawling Beech-Nut food processing plant located right across the street as well as the art collection.

On Sunday, a new incarnation of the building was unveiled to the public -- the spacious new two-story Arkell Museum at Canajoharie that is connected to the original library and holds Arkell's huge collection of late-19th century and early-20th century embracing works by the likes of Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Gay, Childe Hassam, Thomas Hart Benton, Walter Lunt Palmer and the contemporary painter Walter Hartke.

This gritty little industrial village of 2,300 residents is an easy drive on the Thruway from the Capital Region. Use Exit 29, a $1.80 toll, and you're at the museum in less than a minute. It will be the best $1.80 you've ever spent.

From the 1930 bronze sculpture "Humoresque" by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth (1880-1980) that dominates the exterior courtyard (seen above) facing the iconic Beech-Nut factory to grouping after grouping of oils, watercolors, sketches, advertising art and engravings, New York State's newest museum is a joy.

For a look at a cross-section of the art on display, go here and click on the individual pieces of art.

(Posted 09/25/07)

William M. Dowd is a Capital Region writer and photographer. He'll help you keep up with information on food, drink and destinations at Taste for Travel and Dowd On Drinks.