In 1959, Mr. and Mrs. David and Carmen Kreeger began to build their modern art collection. Over the next 15 years, their collection would become the core of their museum. The institution opened to the public in 1994. Along with being a showcase for modern art, it also combines the Kreeger’s loves of music and architecture.
The works in the permanent collection date from the 1850s to the 1970s. It includes a strong holding of Impressionist art, including nine Monet paintings and art by Renoir, Sisley and Pissarro. Artists of the 20th century include Picasso, Edvard Munch, Max Beckmann, Kandinsky and Joan Miro. Modern sculpture is also well represented with works by artists Kenneth Armitage, Jean Arp, Alexander Calder, Brancusi, Isamu Noguchi, and Henry Moore.
Besides presenting special visual art exhibitions, the museum also puts on concerts. Those have included a chamber music festival and performances of work by Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, and Maurice Ravel.
The Kreeger Museum Information
- Public Transportation: Good (easily accessible by D6 bus; nearest Metro stop is Tenleytown on the Red line, which requires a taxi to reach the museum)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Fair (the main floor of the museum, the sculpture terrace, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible; the museum’s lower galleries are not)
- Hours: Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday, reservations are required for all museum visits. Museum is closed in August
- Admission: $10, students and seniors $7, group discounts are available for groups of 10 to 45 individuals; a non-refundable check for $8 per person ($5 for seniors 65+ and students) must be submitted two weeks in advance of a scheduled tour
- Tours: Weekday visitors may choose to make reservations for the 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. tour. On Saturday, optional guided tours are given at 10:30 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.
- Membership: Friend membership is $100 annually and entitles members to complimentary museum admission with one guest, an invitation to the Friends of the Kreeger Museum reception, and discounted tickets to select public programs.
