On this Day: Met Cloisters Opening
May 10, 2028
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On This Day: The Met Cloisters Opens – May 10, 1938
On May 10, 1938, the Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrated the grand opening of The Met Cloisters, a museum dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. Located in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, the Cloisters offers visitors a unique window into the past.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. was instrumental in the museum’s creation, funding its construction and the acquisition of the land. Architect Charles Collens designed the building, drawing inspiration from various medieval monasteries in France and Spain. The museum integrates architectural elements salvaged from medieval structures, creating an immersive space that evokes the Middle Ages.
The Met Cloisters houses over 5,000 works of art from the 12th through the 15th centuries, including the famed Unicorn Tapestries, medieval manuscripts, sculptures, and illuminated texts. Its meticulously maintained gardens feature plantings inspired by medieval herbals and manuscripts, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city.
Eighty-seven years later, The Met Cloisters continues to be a cultural treasure, attracting art enthusiasts, historians, and nature lovers from around the world. It remains a testament to Rockefeller’s vision of preserving history and the timeless allure of medieval art.