Nassau County Museum of Art

The Nassau County Museum of Art (NCMA) is a premier art museum located in Roslyn Harbor, New York, on the former Frick "Clayton" Estate. The museum is situated on a 145-acre property, showcasing a blend of art, nature, and history along Long Island's Gold Coast.

History

The land that now houses the museum was once part of William Cullen Bryant's estate, Cedarmere, in the 19th century. In 1900, Lloyd Stephens Bryce purchased the property and commissioned Ogden Codman to design a neo-Georgian mansion. Later, in 1919, Henry Clay Frick acquired the estate as a gift for his son, Childs Frick, and enlisted Sir Charles Carrick Allom to redesign the property, renaming it "Clayton." After Childs Frick's death in 1965, Nassau County purchased the estate and established the Nassau County Museum of Art in 1969. In 1989, the museum became a private not-for-profit institution[1][2][3].

Facilities and Exhibitions

The main museum building, named the Arnold and Joan Saltzman Fine Arts Building, is a three-story Georgian-style mansion exemplifying late 19th-century Gold Coast architecture. The museum includes the Manes Family Art & Education Center, a Sculpture Park, Formal Gardens, and marked walking trails[1][3]. NCMA annually presents major rotating exhibitions focusing on diverse artistic themes, including European and American art movements, historical epochs, and contemporary artists[1][3].

Collection and Outdoor Spaces

The NCMA's collection spans over 600 art objects from the 19th and 20th centuries, featuring works by notable artists such as Auguste Rodin, Édouard Vuillard, and Roy Lichtenstein[1]. The Sculpture Park offers more than 40 sculptures integrated into the natural landscape, including works by Tom Otterness and Richard Serra[5]. The Formal Gardens, designed by Marian Cruger Coffin in 1925, have been restored to their original design[1][5].

Governance and Funding

The museum is governed by a private board of trustees and funded through admissions, membership, special events, and private and corporate donations, as well as federal and state grants[3]. It is chartered and accredited as a not-for-profit private educational institution under New York State law[3].

Visitor Impact

NCMA attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually, making it one of the most visited suburban art museums in the United States[1].