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Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn opens its membership to the public It is as unique as it is impressive. Constructed in the Romanesque style between 1928 and 1939, the structure is architecturally striking with unusual proportions. Lines are curved, off-center and asymmetrical. The look is subtle, with irregular angles and straight lines that actually are bowed. It's pleasing to the eye. What lies inside this treasure of a structure is a jewel in itself – an exceptional collection of medieval objects and religious art. It's Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, one of only a handful of religious history museums in the world. Once the home of Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn – he designed the building – Glencairn Museum is launching its new season and, for the first time, has opened its membership to the general public. And beginning next month, it will be open for tours on Saturdays. Memberships at Glencairn, which is affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem, previously had been limited to members of the church, the Academy of the New Church secondary schools, Academy of the New Church Theological School, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, faculty and staff. Glencairn decided to open its membership so the general public could
have greater access and enjoy the many collections of the museum, according
to Stephen Morley, museum director. “Our goal is not to make a lot
of money opening our membership,” said Morley, “but we don’t
deserve this treasure unless we share it.” Key to the purpose and mission of Glencairn Museum is its affiliation with the Academy of the New Church, the educational arm of the General Church of the New Jerusalem. Glencairn enjoys a close relationship with the college, the Academy's secondary schools and the Bryn Athyn Church School. Formation of a museum for the Academy of the New Church came about in the first years of the school's existence. The first chancellor, Bishop William Henry Benade, had a profound interest in the mythology and religious practices of ancient cultures. He believed it was important to teach the history of religion and that objects from those cultures would provide a great source of study. While in Europe and the Middle East in the late 1870s, Benade and traveling partner John Pitcairn collected objects in Egypt, Syria, Greece, Cyprus and Italy. Among the items gathered by the two men was a collection of about 1,300 artifacts purchased from an Egyptian museum, including bronzes and statuettes of Egyptian gods. Later acquisitions for the Academy Museum, which is what it was then called, included items from the British Museum and medieval Asian works of art The early decades of the 20th Century saw many changes – a move in 1910 into a permanent home on the third floor of the library; the display of museum pieces according to region of origin, and the purchase of several copies of important works from the British Museum. Raymond and Theodore Pitcairn also donated and loaned many objects to the museum, including Medieval and Asian works of art. In the early 1970s, the museum underwent a revival. Its collections
were reorganized and cataloged, and exhibits and displays were set up
chronologically by culture. Teachers were encouraged to bring students
and many lectures were offered. Today, the mission of Glencairn Museum remains much the same as the old Academy Museum: to educate visitors about the history of religion, using art and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods. The galleries use the collections to illustrate the beliefs of many different religions. Beginning Oct. 25, the museum will be open for tours every Saturday (Reservations are recommended). Currently tours are available Monday-Friday by appointment and during some of the museum’s Sunday programs. Reduced admission for the tours is just one of the perks of membership. Three tiers are available: • Individual - $25; offers half price admission to Saturday tours, concerts, lectures and special programs; three free guest passes for Saturday tours, concerts, lectures and special programs; a fall and spring events brochure and a 10 percent discount on books, postcards, etc. Glencairn’s programs run September through June. The fall/winter lineup includes: • Sept. 14: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Cloister Tea and Tours, in Cloister Garden. Admission is $10; $5 for members and students. Light refreshments and live music. To obtain a membership, call 215-914-2981. For information about Glencairn’s programs, call 215-938-2600 or visit it on the web at www.glencairnmuseum.org.
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