On October 22, North Carolina’s first fine The Early Years 26,000 visitors crossed the threshold to art museum will celebrate its rich legacy, see an exhibition of 16 American paint- Thanks to Mary Myers Dwelle, piece promising future and The Mint ings from the National Gallery of Art in by piece the former Charlotte Federal Museums’ 70th anniversary. Mint was moved far from the end of the The Old Charlotte Mint nearest trolley line or paved road to four acres of land donated by E.C. Griffith in The Piedmont region of North Carolina Eastover known as “Watkin’s Bottoms” emerged as the first major gold producing in the early 1930s. Dwelle, who led the area in the United States following the cause to save the Mint along with a group discovery in 1790 of a rich deposit of gold of 16 other Charlotteans, raised $950 the week before the build- ing was to be demol- ished to make room for the expansion of the neighboring post office on the same site. Soon after the purchase was made, Dwelle set to work, persuading Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Van Washington, D.C., as well as Francesco Landingham to Granacci’s Madonna and Child donated by spearhead a com- dime store magnate Samuel H. Kress. mittee of 200 to Few could have ever imagined that raise restoration works by Rembrandt, Corot, Inness, funds. Speakers Gainsborough, Reynolds and El Greco went out to would grace the then century-old build- civic and social nuggets near Concord, N.C. At ing that now bridged Charlotte’s past clubs to enlist one time there were between and future. their aid. Even the school- 75 and 100 gold mines within a children of the day contributed their The first four notable gifts to the 20-mile radius of Charlotte. Gold from pennies to visit the museum. But it museum came from Dwelle’s cousin, these Carolina mines could be sold to wasn’t until an art critic for the Washington Richard Springs, who donated William local banks, sent to the Bechtler family’s Star and former curator at the Corcoran Hart’s The Golden Hour in memory of private mint in Rutherfordton or shipped Gallery of Art, Leila Mechlin, spoke at Eli Baxter Springs, former mayor of to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. As an the Charlotte Woman’s Club that support Charlotte. Others included Elliott alternative, the U.S. for the Mint was ignited. She Daingerfield’s Autumn from Mr. and Congress funded the wrote Dwelle advising of a new Mrs. Charles A. Cannon, Sr., and Allan first branch of the federal relief program to put Ramsay’s Coronation Portrait of Queen Philadelphia Mint men back to work building Charlotte from Mrs. S. Westray Battle. which began operation roads, bridges and public in Charlotte in 1836. Above Left: MMA in the early years. works. She thought perhaps Left: Mary Myers Dwelle The building, designed building an art museum might in the Federal style by qualify. Dwelle’s persuasive Above: Queen Charlotte reigns over the Main William A. Strickland, a abilities were enhanced by the Gallery in 1936. noted architect of the foresight of architect Martin Below: Charles W. Tillett, Jr., Franklin Graham, era, originally stood on E. Boyer, who made detailed Mary Myers Dwelle, Leila Mechlin and Philip N. Youtz at the inauguration of the Mint Museum West Trade Street between Mint and architectural sketches of the original of Art on October 22, 1936. Graham Streets in downtown Charlotte. Mint, marking each beam and At the start of the Civil War the building stone in turn. was pressed into service as a Confederate Unlike any other American art headquarters and hospital. After the Civil museum, the Mint opened its War it was used as an assay office and doors on October 22, 1936 later for meetings of local organizations. without a collection or a Finally, in 1936 it became the first art bequest to build one. The museum in the state and is known today Charlotte Observer and Charlotte as the Mint Museum of Art. News provided enthusiastic coverage of the event. Over the next six months, slightly over 5 1936 1969 1980 1992 of contemporary design. Of note are three archi- tectural commissions: a glass chandelier by • Mint Museum of Art opened as the first art • Dr. and Mrs. Francis Robicsek made their • Romare Bearden 1970 -1980, the first major retro- • After nearly 20 years as a department of the City Seattle artist Dale Chihuly, an architectural glass museum in North Carolina. The opening exhibit first gift of Precolumbian art to the Mint spective exhibition of Bearden’s of Charlotte, the Mint Museum of Art becomes a wall by Massachusetts artist Tom Patti and the featured 16 American paintings from The National Museum of Art. The Precolumbian Art work, is organized by and opens at private, non-profit corporation. last American commission for Czechoslovakian Gallery of Art. collection has grown over the years to the Mint Museum and tours nation- glass artists Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava become one of the finest such collections ally to three venues. Sponsored by Brychtová. in the Southeast. The Robicseks have long Philip Morris Inc. and the National 1994 1953 been recognized as the force and vision Endowment for the Arts, the • The Mint is selected by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s • First Tour of Charlotte Homes to benefit the Mint behind this outstanding holding at the presentation of the Charlotte-born Digest Fund as one of 19 American museums to Museum of Art. Mint Museum of Art. artist with an international reputa- receive a multi-year grant for collections accessi- tion has an immediate impact with bility and community outreach. The Mint’s grant, 1954 significant increase in regional in the amount of $1.25 million, prompts a major 1970 press coverage and attendance. reinstallation of the permanent collection; hiring • Charlotte Garden Club organized. • Collector’s Circle organized. of the first Curator of Precolumbian Art, the first Romare Bearden with M. Mellanay Delhom Director of Community Relations; and the first • Mint Museum Theatre • Precolumbian Art of the Americas opened. Educational Outreach Coordinator. Guild established by It is the first installation and catalogue Dorothy Masterson as of the Mint Museum’s Precolumbian collection. 1982 1995 Artistic Director. • Charlotte voters overwhelmingly approved $3.5 million in bonds for the construction of the new • D.I.G.S., Deciphering and Investigating Great Chihuly Chandelier at The Mint Museum 1972 Societies, a Mint-organized program, pilots an of Craft + Design 1956 $7.5 million expansion of the Mint Museum. The th • The Mint Museum is one of a handful of new Dalton Wing is named for Harry and Mary interactive tour for 5 graders, teacher • Woman’s Auxiliary museums across the country to successfully workshops and computer interactive lessons organized by Mrs. Dalton, who offered their American and European 1999-2000 achieve accreditation from the American art collection to the city if the Mint Museum integrating art and social studies with support Harold T. Crosby. nd • Dale Chihuly: Installations exhibition draws over Association of Museums in their 2 year of would expand to house it. The city’s support is from the Institute of Museum Services. Almost th 58,000 visitors to the Mint Museum of Craft + national certification. The Mint is reaccredited matched with $4 million in private contributions. 10,000 5 graders from Charlotte-Mecklenburg 1958 Dorothy Masterson in 1986 and 1996 and today is one of just 771 Schools participate every year. Design. accredited museums in the United States. • Woman’s Auxiliary opened the Mint Museum Shop. 1995 2000 1975 • Charlotte’s Latin American • The Fleur and Charles Bresler Collection of 36 1960-61 • The Delhom Service League was organized. Festival finds a new home historically significant American quilts is acquired. on the grounds of the Mint • Renovation of “attic space” of the Mint Museum • The Performing Arts Department was founded. Museum of Art in partnership of Art for collection storage, exhibit preparation, • Awarded Ford Foundation New Directions/New with the Latin American library, staff offices, and Browse, Buy, Borrow Donors for the Arts Challenge Grant (one of 28 Coalition and Latin American Gallery for the rental/sales of work by regional Construction of the Dalton Wing national grants, $1.75 million towards Women’s Association. artists. at The Mint Museum of Art Latin American Festival Endowment and membership growth). 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 • Mrs. Charles 1976 1983 1996 Crutchfield • The Mint Museum of Art is designated a • Purchase of the Dorothy C. and Walter S. Auman • The Dwelle Society (planned giving) established. 2001 started the Collection of North Carolina pottery was funded Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Site by the • The Mint Museum of Craft + Design introduces by Daisy Wade Bridges and the Mint Museum Queen’s Mintkins Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Properties its third and most significant installation: Auxiliary, making the Mint one of the largest 1997 Puppet Theatre. Commission. Relations, a colossal glass wall by internationally repositories of North Carolina pottery in the U.S. • Allan Chasanoff ceramic The Mint Museum known Czech artists Stanislav Libenský and Bridges’ contributions over the years would form collection is acquired. This becomes a Jaroslava Brychtová. Greeting visitors at the the nucleus of the Mint’s American ceramics magnificent international Department of the entrance of the permanent collection galleries, collections. collection later provides the 1965 City of Charlotte and Relations stands almost 13 feet high and weighs critical mass that enabled the • Friends of the also operates the more than 6,000 pounds.