Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This past fall, the Museum of the American Revolution opened an exhibition entitled When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776–1807. While museums across the country were celebrating the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment, the Museum of the American Revolution took a different approach. The exhibition examines a little-known chapter in the history of American suffrage: for more than thirty years in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, women and free persons of color were legally allowed to vote in New Jersey. That ended in 1807 when New Jersey legislators restricted the franchise to land-owning white men. For history lovers, this exhibition is a must-see, whether in person or online. If you’re planning to go in person, check here, but if you’d rather peruse the exhibition from home, check here before the exhibition closes on April 25.
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron, Ohio
After six long years of restoration, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is proud to share its renewed manor house interiors with the public. On April 1, the site will open its 2021 season exhibition with Restoration: If This Hall Could Talk. The show discusses the what, why, and how of historic renovations and gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work of their curatorial team. This long-awaited reopening is not to be missed so, check here to book your tickets in advance.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California
Opening on April 1 at LACMA is the exhibition Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific. The show is the first large-scale presentation of the art of Fiji in the United States, and features more than 280 works drawn from international collections. The diverse array of pieces on view includes figurative sculptures, barkcloth panels, pearl shell breastplates, traditionally constructed sailing canoes, and much more. Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific is a historical and cultural goldmine. So, make sure to book your tickets in advance here.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts
The late filmmaker and historian Wan-go H.C. Weng was the steward of a collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy that had been gathered by his family over the course of six generations. Before his death last year at age 102, Weng made a gift of the collection—more than 230 works—to the MFA Boston, the largest donation of Chinese art the museum has ever received. On April 3, the MFA unveils the second of three exhibitions dedicated to celebrating Weng’s gift. Weng Family Collection of Chinese Painting: Travel and Home features 20 works that relate to domestic and exotic landscapes and scenic voyages. Boasting artworks by the greats from the Ming and Qing dynasties, this exhibition should not be missed so check here in order to plan your trip ahead of time.
