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General Information The Museum In 1878 the Academy of the New Church founded a museum to teach students about the mythology and religious practices of ancient cultures. The Academy's collections have grown and moved since then, but the essential mission has remained the same: to teach visitors about the history of religion using art and artifacts. Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn were lifelong members of the General Church of the New Jerusalem. Raymond died in 1966, and after Mildred's death in 1979 their home, Glencairn, was given to the Academy of the New Church, the educational arm of the General Church. The Academy has preserved the main floor essentially as it was so that it may continue to serve the schools and the community as a center for cultural and social events. Other floors have been converted to museum galleries to house the Pitcairn collection and the former Academy Museum holdings. The Building Both Glencairn and the Cathedral were built using methods unusual for the twentieth century. The design of the buildings evolved gradually, relying on scale and full-sized plaster models instead of predetermined architectural plans. Creative input was sought from the craftsmen themselves, who worked together with designers in the shops and studios that were built for them on the site. Glencairn, above all a home, was also designed to house Pitcairn's outstanding collection of medieval objects, many of which had been purchased as inspirational models for the craftsmen at the Cathedral. Glencairn also became a center where Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn entertained the Bryn Athyn community for musical, civic and social events. Most of these events took place in the Great Hall. The house consists of more than 100 rooms, on 11 floors. From the basement to the tower, handcrafted care is evident - from the gentle arches of ceilings and doorways to the placement of medieval and twentieth century Romanesque architectural and sculptural additions to the structure. The tower deck offers views of Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, with the Philadelphia skyline visible on the southwestern horizon. Placed above the deck are eight intricately carved capitals depicting the four areas of service most important to Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn: Church, Family, School, and Country. Glencairn's combination of intricate mosaic work, hand-carved teak balconies and doors, marble floors and oriental rugs cresate the feeling of a true home that reflects the interests and style of the family that lived in it. Visitors to Glencairn appreciate its unique design and the superb handling of stone, wood, glass and metal. Creations in sculpture, stained glass, and mosaic are governed by a distinctive symbolism based on the teachings of the New Church. Scope Size Highlights The fifth-floor chapel, with its ceiling mosaic depicting a scene from the Biblical Book of Revelation. Life-sized statue of the goddess Minerva-Victoria in the Roman and Early Christian gallery. The Great Hall: the five-story high former living room of the house, featuring medieval furniture and sculpture and stained glass built into the structure. Location Admissions Origin of Name History Legal Name Membership Programs Public Programs and Activities Tours Group Tours can be scheduled Monday - Friday 9:00AM-4:00PM. Please be aware that the capacity for tours is limited and our schedule is booked well in advance. Four tours are also available every Saturday, each accommodating 10 people. Advance reservations are recommended. Call (267) 502-2993 for reservations. The Saturday Highlights Tour (75 minutes long) begins with an elevator ride to the Tower. Other stops include the Chapel, the Master Bedroom and Bath, and Glencairn's stunning Great and Upper Halls. An introduction to the Museum's collection of religious art may include visits to the Egyptian, Ancient Near East, Classical, and Medieval galleries. Rates: Adults-$7, Seniors-$6, Students-$4. Groups of 15 or more-$5 per person. Special Needs |
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