The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is proud to announce the full reopening
of its historic gardens, which sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma
in 2017. The $1.3 million reconstruction
of the lower tier of the Museum’s historically significant English, Italian and
Olmsted Gardens started in January 2019. The project was completed in June 2019. Historic records from the Cummer family
archives, including plant logs, photographs and invoices, were incorporated
into the reconstruction plans to preserve the original intent and historic
character of the riverfront gardens, which were added to the National Register
of Historic Places in 2010.
“The Cummer Gardens are among the most precious works of art in our
permanent collection. We have been tirelessly working to restore the gardens
for the community to enjoy, and welcome the community to celebrate this
milestone with us all summer — especially during free access opportunities like
Florida Blue Free Tuesdays, Weaver First Saturday Free for All and Summer
Fridays, presented by PNC Bank,” said Adam Levine, Ph.D., the Museum’s
George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director & Chief Executive Officer.
Hurricane Irma swept through Jacksonville on September 11,
2017. As a result of the storm and
subsequent flooding of the St. Johns River, the lower tier of all three formal
garden spaces are believed to have been submerged in as much as four feet of
water for more than 24 hours. The water
uprooted plants, detached the railing along the river, contaminated the soil
and damaged the physical infrastructure of the gardens, including drainage,
electric, fencing and the well that services the landscape.
In January 2018, the Museum announced the selection of WLA Studio, an
award-winning landscape architecture and planning firm based in Athens, Ga., to
lead the garden reconstruction. The firm’s experience in both historic
landscape preservation and environmental design was critical to the Museum’s
goal of preserving the atmospheric intent of the original gardens, while making
necessary adjustments to reflect modern-day climate and soil conditions. A comprehensive project team managed by Danis
worked alongside WLA Studio.
Funds for the reconstruction came from grants and private donations from
several benefactors, including the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH),
the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), the State of
Florida, the Garden Conservancy and the Garden Club of America’s Restoration
Initiative.
“We are grateful to those organizations and individuals who committed
support to bringing the Cummer’s gardens back to their former glory, and
ensuring this institution remains a place for art and beauty for all of
Jacksonville,” said Levine.
Through the Summer Fridays Program, sponsored by PNC Bank,
admission to the gardens (along with the Museum’s permanent collection) is free
from 4 - 9 p.m. tonight and every Friday through September 6, rain or shine. Tonight’s theme is “Sunshine State: Flora,
Fauna, and Festivities.” Activities will include:
• Silent disco on the front lawn
• Live music by The New Moon Ramblers
• Lawn games
• Succulent workshop
• Food available for purchase from the Cummer Café and Saffron Mediterranean
Kitchen Food Truck
• Beverages available for purchase at pop-up bars throughout the campus.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has
announced the launch of “Summer Fridays”, presented by PNC Bank. Every Friday from June 21 through September 6,
2019, the Museum will offer free admission to its permanent collection and
gardens during new extended hours, 4 to 9 p.m., providing a new way for the
community to kick off the weekend.
Each Friday, in the 12-week program, will feature free entertainment, such as
live music, art activities, lawn games, lounge areas and more. Additional programming will be available for
purchase, such as admission to featured exhibitions, arts and cultural
experiences, and food and beverages (including beer, wine and cocktails)
throughout the Museum campus.
Summer Fridays will debut on June 21 with Summer Solstice: Célébration
du Solstice, inspired by the exhibition French Moderns: Monet to Matisse,
1850-1950, which opens June 14. Themes will change weekly to highlight art and
entertainment from specific countries or regions.
“Ninah Cummer’s vision was to establish a museum for the benefit of all
people of Jacksonville. Extending our hours with free admission and offering
new, unique programming is one way we are fulfilling that vision,” said
Adam Levine, the Cummer Museum’s George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director &
Chief Executive Officer. “With the generous support of PNC Bank, we look
forward to making Summer Fridays a fun, engaging and accessible experience for
the community.”
“Supporting the arts is a strong focus at PNC,” said PNC regional
president for the Southeast Port Cities market Brian Bucher. “The Cummer
Museum provides terrific programming for our community, making it a valuable
asset. We hope everyone comes out to enjoy Summer Fridays.”
About the Cummer
Museum of Art & Gardens: For almost 60 years, the Cummer Museum of
Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the
arts, gardens, and education. A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects
and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 140,000 annual
visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized
education programs serve adults and children of all abilities.
About
PNC Bank: National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial
Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified
financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its
customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail
and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized
services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking,
real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset
management.
Cummer Museum of Art &
Gardens
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
(904) 356-6857
Hours of Operation & Admission
