A Brief History Of The Museum Of Fine Arts Boston

For both the experienced art critic and the amateur art appreciator, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is a treasure of the art world. Opened on the nation’s bicentennial, July 4, 1876, the museum debuted with just 5,600 pieces of artworks. Today, it is home to a vast collection, totaling over 500,000 pieces.
As with any building as old as this, the MFA has undergone a number of changes in its 140 years of operation. It originally opened in Copley Square, but owners soon determined that the building was inadequate, and construction began on the current location. Just over three decades later, in 1909, the museum moved to Huntington Avenue – a space that today allows them to host over one million visitors annually.

After the MFA had found its home on Huntington Avenue, it seemed to grow exponentially in popularity. Soon after opening, ground broke on an addition to house more galleries, around the time that renowned painter John Singer Sargent began his ambitious mural projects, which took nearly ten years. The School of the Museum of Fine Arts was opened in 1927 and continues to operate today as a part of Tufts University. Throughout the 20th century, the MFA continued to grow, quite literally, with the construction of numerous wings and additions. The most recent project took place in 2015, a renovation of its Japanese garden, Tenshin-en.

When it comes to what lies within the walls of the building, the answer is certainly ample. Here you can find works of art ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to John Singleton Copley’s most recognized paintings of Revolutionary America to Paul Revere’s silver collection, crafted himself. You’ll be shocked by the ten-foot baby heads at the Fenway entrance, a unique sculpture with a metaphorical meaning. Along with this ever-growing physical collection, the MFA maintains a massive online database – one of the largest in the world – where you are free to browse each piece remotely.

One of the greatest aspects of the MFA is the ever-changing exhibits in addition to their permanent collection. In recent years, they’ve hosted the latest in tech fashion, Katsushika Hokusai’s famous wave, and the remains of a Boston time capsule from 1795. In addition to these exhibits, visitors can always attend special events, ranging from musical performances to yoga sessions. Throughout its history, the MFA has always been at the forefront of culture in Boston, and they continue to be a leader on the global art scene.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.