Terra Museum
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The Terra Museum of American Art in Chicago, Illinois founded by Daniel J. Terra (1911–1996), closed on October 31, 2004 after 24 years of operation. Charged by the Terra Foundation for the Arts with exhibiting and interpreting original works of American art, the museum opened to the public in 1980. During its tenure, the museum presented more than 200 exhibitions on American art and provided related programs and events for schoolchildren, teachers, families, general adult audiences, and scholars.
Originally located in north-suburban Evanston, Illinois, the museum relocated in 1987 to 664 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. This site is now being redeveloped as a condo/hotel tower for the Ritz-Carlton.
A portion of the Terra collection can be viewed at the Art Institute of Chicago.
[edit] Legal Proceedings
The Terra Museum made history before it closed due to the attempt by Judith Terra (the founder's widow & 2nd wife) and several board members to relocate the museum to Washington, D.C., viewed by many (including the founder's son) as an attempt to boost her social standing in the nations capital. [1] [2]
The lawsuit was finally settled in 2004 with the museum and collection required to stay in the state of Illinois[3], but being allowed to merge the collection with another local organization. This was accomplished with the announcement that the Terra collection would be sent to the Art Institute of Chicago.
