Brandywine River Museum - Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania - art, culture, and environmental museum featuring the Brandywine River Valley

The Brandywine River Museum, which is part of the Brandywine Conservancy, is located in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. In the 1960s, this area was threatened by industrial development, so a group of residents came together to purchase much of the land, protecting over five miles along the Brandywine River. The museum was opened in 1971 in Hoffman's Mill, a restored gristmill from the 1860s. This museum houses a large collection of local and American art, including the work of the famous Wyeth family, who lived in the Brandywine area.

The Wyeth collection is one of the most popular exhibits at the Brandywine River Museum, since the collection here is unlike any found at any other art gallery. The patriarch of the Wyeth family was Newell Convers Wyeth (N.C. Wyeth), who was a student of Howard Pyle and completed over 3,000 painting and illustrations during his lifetime. He died in 1945, but a number of other members of the Wyeth family have also become artists, and some of their works are included as part of the Brandywine River Museum as well. Visitors can see N.C. Wyeth's original home and art studio not far from the mill that plays home to the museum. In addition, the museum houses collections of art including works by Pyle, Jasper Francis Corpsey, Harvey Dunn, William Trost Richards, and a number of other artists.

Because N.C. Wyeth was such a prolific illustrator, the Brandywine River Museum has a large collection of illustrations from other artists as well. Many of these artists are well known in the world of art for their work, and some that are on display at the museum include Maxfield Parrish, Nancy Eckholm Burkert, Dr. Seuss, Edwin Austin Abbey, and Reginald Marsh. This collection also includes cartoonists from the late 20th century, such as Charles Schulz, Al Hirschfeld, and Charles Addams.

For those researching art, the Brandywine River Museum is an important American resource. Their library has nearly 3,500 volumes, and in addition to those books, there are over 22,000 other items, which include artist portfolios, films, phonographs, posters, scrapbooks, book jackets, and other works important to artists. The library is open by appointment only, but anyone interested in American art can schedule time to research at this location.

The Brandywine River Museum has a number of educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Throughout the year, they have lectures to introduce new collections or individual pieces of art. These programs are free with museum admission. There are also programs for children, including read-aloud tours for families, and children's days that focus on illustrations for children's books. The museum also sponsors school programs and education for teachers.

Admission to the Brandywine River Museum costs $10 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. There are also audio tours available for just $3, and museum admission is free for Brandywine Conservancy members. The museum is open daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with extended hours during the holiday season. For more information, guests can call the museum at 610-388-2700.