Mount Holyoke College Art Museum

Mount Holyoke College Art Museum is a university art museum that houses over 24,000 works spanning multiple centuries, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects from cultures worldwide. The collection is accessible through a searchable database that is part of the Five College Museums consortium.

The museum was founded in 1876 and began its collection with a painting by Albert Bierstadt titled 'Hetch Hetchy Canyon', purchased by local collectors Mrs. A. L. Williston and Mrs. E. H. Sawyer. This early acquisition established the foundation for growth into a major art collection with international works.

The collection displays works from Asia, Europe, and the United States alongside classical pieces from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, offering visitors exposure to different artistic traditions. Students and faculty regularly engage with these works in classroom settings, giving the museum an active role in academic life.

The museum maintains a searchable online database where visitors can look up specific objects in the collection before visiting. Using this resource helps visitors plan their time effectively and locate artworks that match their interests.

The associated Joseph Allen Skinner Museum holds additional artifacts that professors actively incorporate into their teaching. This integration into academic life allows students to learn from original works and explore them directly in the classroom.

Location: South Hadley

Inception: 1876

Part of: Mount Holyoke College

Website: https://artmuseum.mtholyoke.edu

GPS coordinates: 42.25683,-72.57274

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:24