abby aldrich rockefeller folk art museum

Fun, educational and entertaining. Loved the barnyard room that I think was for children. This senior enjoyed it as much as any child.

What a wonderful place, compact enough and full of whimsical toys, creations and paintings that will entertain a child or adult for hours. If you have some extra time take the half hour guided tour, we seem to discover something new on every trip. The quilt collection and signage are always interesting and this week we reviewed the fraktor (sp?) artwork which I had hardly ever noticed. Interesting introduction about Abby Aldrich R. and a brief discussion of a painting or two.Half hour is too short but it is a good introduction for the kids.

First of all -- many of these review seem to confuse this museum with the DeWitt Museum for Decorative Arts. They share they same building, and are connected by a large hallway -- but they are VERY different. Any review here that references period furniture, silver, or porcelin are reviewing the DeWitt. The collection at the Folk Art Museum is very different but remarkable in its own right. The quilts are spectacular, and the Americana signs are fun and historical at the same time. My one big gripe with the museum is that for being in the South, there is no slave folk art or any other African American folk art displayed or highlighted. It seems like a glaring oversight, and it took away dramatically from my appreciation of the museum. Even in February (Black History Month) their special exhibit was of some (white) guy from Michigan from the 1940s whose entire known body of work is 4 painting and they were all here. Nice stuff, but not great. But a big missed opportunity to highlight African American folk art.

Love the folk art exhibits. Our favorite part was the kids area where we could make our own artwork to display. I also loved the trade signs and quilts.

This is in the same building as the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and a great way to spend a rainy day in Williamsburg.

As a hobbyist cabinet maker, I loved this museum's collection of Colonial furniture. It is spectacular. They also have a great collection of folk art that is very interesting. There are sections devoted to paintings, sculptures, table ware, silver, guns, and textiles of the period. At their auditorium, you can meet a Nation Builder which is a fascinating program that every visitor should see. I attended two programs; Mr. James Maddison and Mr. Patrick Henry. These two reenactors were excellent and it was just like having a personal conversation with the real person. On the coldest January day, we chose to visit the museum and were entertained for nearly the whole day.

The art museum in Colonial Williamsburg is not to be missed. The entrance takes you by the mental hospital exhibit from the Williamsburg time frame and that is an eye opening experience. Small and educational the displays show a far difference attitude toward treating the mentally ill. The art museum itself is a gem. Do examine the glass case near the entrance and see the fob that George Washington wore to stamp the wax seals on his letters. The fob can be seen hanging from his vest in Charles Vincent Peale's portrait upstairs in the museum. The early American furniture exhibit, folk art exhibit, doll houses and others are all exceptional and enjoyable. There is also a simple, quiet café and a lovely gift shop.

The art museum is incredible deceiving at first. Not just artifacts from the areological site. Go in the winter, no lines no crowds.

Definitely worth a visit. The collection was more extensive when it was exhibited in Bassett Hall, however.

The collections change, but we saw and loved quilt exhibit, furniture, silver, old musical instruments. There was an amazing jar filled with sand, beautifully displayed so you could see the back. Recommend for all ages

Lots of interesting things for all ages. Lovely examples of folk art, and funny things for kids, like cigar store Indians and a hippopotamus with a record player in his belly.

If you're in the least bit interested in folk art/americana stuff you'll enjoy your time here. We saw whirligigs and doll houses and a carousel and .... fun stuff! Had a sandwich and locally brewed ginger ale in the cafe. Perfect couple of hours.

Christmastide at the folk art museum was a wonderful as our other visits....lots of special diversions and the porcelain collection was a nice addition! Take the tour that teaches you about folk art...think it runs around noon....your understanding and enjoyment will expand and you won't be sorry!

A little gem of a museum that has an excellent selection of colonial and folk art. And, it is sized just right for the collection.

We walked five minutes from the main Revolutionary City and spent about two hours in the museum. Enjoyed the displays and artifacts, and the children engaged in the learning studio. The cafe food was average at best - you can do better for lunch options.