Barnes Foundation cuts ribbon on new galleries in Philadelphia

The Barnes Foundation’s new home in Philadelphia is officially open.  

The gates were opened to a trumpet fanfare as several hundred guests were among the first to tour the Barnes new galleries on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Aileen Roberts chaired the building committee and says the facility came out just right.  “The pictures sing like they never have before,” said Roberts.

Fellow Trustee Joe Neubauer says this is the end of a ten year quest to let more people see the collection than could at its original home in Lower Merion.

“We’ve been able to move forward because we had a world-class idea,” said Neubauer. “What we had is the Barnes Foundation the collection and a great idea of how to make it available to more people and better fulfill Dr. Barnes’ mission someplace else than in Merion.”

There will be several high-end parties over the weekend.  Unless you’re a member, or already have tickets, you won’t be able get in until after Memorial Day.

This disclosure, Joe Neubauer and his family foundation are major donors to WHYY.