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The Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich finally reopened its doors on May 7.
After a year and a half of closure due to roof restoration and gallery renovations, the event allowed art enthusiasts and local officials to show their support for the museum, which is one of only two museums in the United States located on a high school campus.
The museum’s special guests included Mayor Peter Nystrom, State Sen. Cathy Osten, and State Reps. Kevin Ryan and Derrell Wilson.
The new roof includes over 12,000 square feet of slate, 11,000 pounds of copper and 1,200 pounds of solder. However, the roof is only one part of Slater’s transformation. The museum also features a totally refreshed exhibition experience, the first of its kind in more than a decade.
“We feel that we are reintroducing the Slater Museum to [Norwich Free Academy] and the public with a refreshed take on our permanent collection that draws upon some of the most important works within our collection,” museum director Dayne Rugh said.
The Slater Museum is home to over 10,000 objects spanning five continents, representing over 1,000 artists. Yet it’s their collection of giant plaster casts which is truly impressive.
Visitors are transported to ancient Greece and Rome as they wander through the gallery, marveling at the exquisite details and lifelike representations of classical sculptures.
Visitors can also see a diverse range of art and artifacts, including 18th- to 20th-century American and European paintings and decorative arts, African and Oceanic sculpture, and Native American objects. The adjacent Converse Art Gallery also hosts six changing exhibitions throughout the year.
