Stark Museum of Art

In 1927, Mr. Stark expressed his desire to create a museum to house his massive collection of artwork, which he was continually building. Unfortunately, Mr. Stark passed away in 1965 before realizing his dream of seeing his museum come to fruition. After Mr. Stark’s death, his widow, Nelda Stark, oversaw the construction of the Stark Museum of Art in Orange, Texas. This museum was intended to house their collection, which comprised mainly of Southwestern art. The Stark Museum of Art opened to the public on November 29, 1978. Once the Stark Museum of Art was created and upon Mr. Stark’s death, the majority of his collection including Wheaton's Terpsichore mosaic was accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art.  The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation’s collection built the Stark Museum of Art, and currently is renowned for their significant collection of American Western Art.

Text Sources: 

“About the Foundation,” last modified 2014, http://www.starkfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/.  

Boehme, Sarah, email message to author, March 27, 2014.

Vogel, Carol. “A Sleeping Dog Comes Out of Hiding,” New York Times, February 18, 2005. 

Image Sources

Grande Courts, Hi-way 90 -- Orange, Texas,"Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. (by 1930-1945).Location: Boston Public Library, Print Department., accessed March 16, 2014