The Menil Collection derives from Johnson’s original design for the Academic Mall, which he conceived as a modern interpretation of For some four decades John and Dominique de Menil Thomas Jefferson’s design plan for the “Academic Village” energetically amassed a collection of art, internationally at the heart of the University of WALKING TOUR admired for its quality, depth, and eclecticism. Surviving Virginia. Down the long quadrangle her husband by 25 years, Dominique de Menil pursued are buildings that house the class- their shared dream of creating a museum to house their art, rooms, laboratories and other schol- The Menil–St. Thomas Quarter and in 1987 again chose a young architect, the Italian arly activities of the University. Renzo Piano. The Menil Collection was his first American Each year St. Thomas opens its commission. Like Johnson, Piano would win the Pritzker HOUSTON MUSEUM DISTRICT doors to thousands of visitors who Prize, the Nobel Prize of architecture, and go on to a attend free lectures, concerts, plays, distinguished international career. The museum building and exhibitions in buildings that Piano created is considered a masterwork, praised for its line the mall. attention to natural light, its modesty, intimacy, and Distinguished by their art and architecture, sophistication. Piano’s building observes the scale Four decades after its first buildings, Johnson’s Academic the contiguous campuses of The Menil introduced by Johnson at St. Thomas, and extends it west Mall was completed, and his widely praised design for the Collection and the University of St.Thomas across the Menil campus to the architecture of other Menil Chapel of St. Basil anchors the Mall’s north end. In 2004, Collection structures: the Cy Twombly Gallery (1995), the Johnson created a third project for St. Thomas, which was form the northern gateway to Houston’s Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum (1997), Richmond Hall, also one of his final designs: the new University landmark Museum District. This walking tour will lead a Dan Flavin Installation housed in what was one of at the corner of Montrose and West Alabama that rises on you to key architectural and historic highlights the Edward P. White Memorial Plaza, named in memory of of The Menil-St.Thomas Quarter. one of the University’s most dedicated benefactors. Other sites of architectural interest include the University’s award-winning Campus Life Mall (2005), where students The Menil–St. Thomas Connection socialize, study, and reflect in its various plazas and gardens; John and Dominique de Menil, the founders of The Menil Collection, were also early benefactors and the ornate Link-Lee Mansion (1912), on the National longtime friends of the University of St. Thomas. Known internationally as patrons of the arts, educators, Register of Historic Places; the boyhood home of Howard advocates of human rights, and generous donors, they were important formative influences in the history Hughes (1918); and a number of delightful gardens as well of the University. as the replica of the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France. In 1941, John de Menil and his wife, Dominique Schlumberger de Menil, left war-torn France and settled in Houston to advance the family business founded by her father and uncle–Schlumberger, Ltd, which The Menil Collection would become one of the world’s great oilfield services companies. In 1948, when they chose beginning George Hixson 1515 Sul Ross • Houston, Texas 77006 New York architect Philip Johnson to build their home–it was Houston’s first modern residence–it started Houston’s early grocery store buildings (1934); and, around Tel: 713-525-9400 • www.menil.org Johnson’s long Texas career and augured the de Menils’ openness to the new. the museum grounds, the important collection of outdoor Museum Hours: Soon afterwards, when the young and growing University of St. Thomas sculptures illustrated and described on the map. By the de Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm sought an architect, the de Menils recommended Johnson. His plan for the Menils’ wish, the museum is open free to the public and Open free of charge • Parking at 1515 West Alabama school’s Academic Mall–two-story buildings, connected by walkways around a presents a yearly calendar of exhibitions, lectures, music central lawn–established the scale and elegant restraint that has since and film events, all of which are also free. The Menil University of St. Thomas characterized the architecture of The Menil St. Thomas Quarter. The de Collection and its campus are cherished as a local 3800 Montrose Boulevard • Houston, Texas 77006 – 713-522-7911 • www.stthom.edu Menils liked the interplay of Johnson’s buildings and quiet, inner-city sanctuary and as a global destination. It is considered one Call 1-800-856-8565 or email [email protected] Houston. In this neighborhood of bungalows and tree-shaded streets, they of the world’s great museums. for visitation days planned just for perspective students. would build the Rothko Chapel (1971), and later, their museum and the other University of St. Thomas Visit our Web site to find out about campus events, art buildings. including Mass in the Chapel of St. Basil. Founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947, the University of Dominique de Menil and Philip Johnson, November 9, 1949 St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic university and con- tinues to build on its national reputation for academic BROCHURE PHOTO CREDITS The Menil Collection: Hickey-Robertson unless otherwise indicated. excellence. The architectural character of the campus University of St. Thomas: Office of Publications Branard Art, Education & Architecture The Menil–St. Thomas Quarter HOUSTON MUSEUM DISTRICT Chapel of St. Basil West Alabama 12 White Memorial Plaza 11 3 • Link-Lee Mansion 13 The Menil Collection 1 Sul Ross 10 9 2 4 Menil Campus The Rothko Chapel Park Life Mall 14 5 Yupon Mulberry Mandell Academic Mall Academic Hughes House Branard Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum Cy Twombly Gallery A Cultural Gem West Main in the Heart of Houston 6 The Menil–St. Thomas Quarter is nestled Hackett 7 in the Houston Museum District just minutes Athletic Loretto Field Park from downtown. Joined by a rich history and 8 a mutual appreciation of art, education and Mt. Vernon Yoakum Montrose architecture, The Menil Collection and the Graustark Colquitt University of St. Thomas partner to offer the beauty of this neighborhood oasis to citizens Loretto of the local community and the world. Dan Flavin Installation At Richmond Hall Richmond The Menil Collection Campus University of St. Thomas Campus The Menil Collection University of St. Thomas Outdoor Sculptures Points of Interest 1 “Isolated Mass/Circumflex (#2)” 9 Earthman Garden 2 “Charmstone” 10 University Seal Plaza 3 “Jack” 11 Samfield Study Garden 4 “Bygones” 12 Felicie Babin Gueymard 5 “Broken Obelisk” Memorial Garden and Labyrinth Paul Hester Paul Paul Hester Paul Paul Warchol Paul 6 “The Elevens Are Up” 13 Edward A. Stumpf II Memorial The Menil Collection The Rothko Chapel Cy Twombly Gallery Byzantine Fresco Chapel Dan Flavin Installation Plaza Academic Mall. Philip Chapel of St. Basil. Link-Lee Mansion. Edward P. White Memorial Howard R. Hughes House 7 “Wall” Renzo Piano. 1987 Philip Johnson and Renzo Piano. 1995 Museum François de Menil. At Richmond Hall. Joseph Johnson. 1958-2001 Philip Johnson/Hall Sanguinet, Staats Plaza. Philip Johnson/ William Ward Watkin. 1918 14 Douglas Meredith McDugald Howard Barnstone. 1971 1997 Finger and Anthony E. 8 “New Piece” Merriman. 1997 & Barnes. 1912 Turner. 2007 Frederick. 1996 Meditation Garden.