The Athens Asylum History Exhibit

Vestibule, 2nd floor galleries

In celebration of the Asylum complex's 150th anniversary, Kennedy Museum of Art has partnered with the Southeast Ohio History Center in creating an exhibit on its history. In addition to a new permanent exhibit near the front entrance of the museum, upstairs is a display of blueprints and architectural drawings of a few of the additions and renovations that have occurred over the years. Also shown are archive images of the Amusement Hall that used to occupy two floors at the rear of the central administration building, and concept sketches for future renovations to that space.

Architects of the Asylum

Gallery Talk with Tom O'Grady, Director of the Southeast Ohio History Center

Thursday, September 20

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Second Floor Multipurpose Gallery

Light refreshments afterwards hosted by Friends of Kennedy Museum of Art

Southeast Ohio History Center director Tom O'Grady will share the extraordinary genius of the architects of the Athens Asylum: architect and sculptor Levi Scofield and landscape architect Herman Haerlin, as well Frank Packard (architect of the octagonal dining halls and cottages) and E.O. Fallis (architect of the Amusement Hall). Scofield's first work, undertaken at the age of 26, was the Athens Asylum, the largest building in Ohio at the time of its construction. Haerlin studied under famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed Central Park in New York City. Together they designed an architectural treasure that has endured for 150 years.