Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:51 Sandy Pond Rd.
Lincoln, Massachusetts
Tel:
(781) 259-8355
On the former estate of Julian de Cordova (1851-1945) that is now the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, you will find rolling woodlands and lawns with ornate sculptures, and many beautiful galleries of modern and contemporary art. 3000 esteemed New England works were included with the donated estate upon Cordova's passing.
Cordova, a successful tea broker, merchant, and investor amassed a most impressive collection as his greatest passions were travel and art. Visual art is seen as a medium for self-improvement and enlightenment at this estate.
The Cordova Sculpture Park rolls over 35 acres and is the largest park of its kind in New England. The park provides a constantly changing exhibition, showcasing approximately 75 sculpted works of American contemporary sculpted works of art. A newly expanded 20,000 square foot sculpture roof terrace provides additional place for artwork, and offers breathtaking views of the Park.
Many special exhibitions rotate monthly and include "Trainscape – Intallation Art for Modern Railroads", Ricardo Barros' "Facing Sculpture", Randal Thurston's "Kingdom" and "Beauty and Decay", a lovely collection of photographs of flowers.
Free public tours are available, but infrequent. The Museum's main gallery tours take place every Sunday at 2pm and Thursday at 1pm, while the sculpture park tours take placer every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm from May to October.
The Café @ DeCordova offers gourmet soups, wrap sandwiches, salads, fresh baked cookies and specialty coffees. It is one of the few options available to enjoy a snack in Lincoln proper.
The museum store offers an impressive selection of items from jewelry to art supplies and will please any shopper.
To reach the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park: The Fitchburg line on the MBTA Commuter Rail stops in Lincoln, a little less than two miles from DeCordova. From the station, walk north on Lincoln Road 1 1/2 miles and turn left at Sandy Pond Road. DeCordova is 1/2 mile down the road on your right.
A beautiful day in art galleries and a a garden of sculpture, what more could you ask for?
From DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park:
The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park is located on the former estate of Julian de Cordova (1851-1945). The self-educated son of a Jamaican merchant, Julian de Cordova became a successful tea broker, wholesale merchant, investor, and president of a glass company in Somerville, Massachusetts. Although he married into the locally prominent Dana family of Boston, de Cordova achieved prosperity without the advantages of inheritance or social position.