Art
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum reopens in its victorian spendor with a calendar of events for all ages
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Mar 16, 2009 - 10:58 AM

Norwalk, CT – The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum opens its new season on April 1, 2009 with an exciting calendar of events, including lectures, book signings, art exhibits and concerts that will enchant Fairfield County residents and visitors.

“The Mansion will be an ideal destination for children and adults who want to explore one of the most significant periods in American history, art and architecture, and are interested in a variety of cultural events,” said Executive Director Sheldon R. Gerarden.

On April 1st, tours will start at 12 Noon and continue through 4:00 p.m. As most of us are facing challenging times, for opening day LMMM will offer a 50% discount on general admission. The Mansion will see its first visitors at 10:30 a.m., with “Mouse Tales,” a new program for preschoolers.

The festivities will continue with a cocktail reception, 7:00-9:00 p.m., for members and supporters, in the newly renovated first floor of the mansion. Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Christopher Cooke and Docent, Connie Kozma will greet the guests dressed in period costumes, as Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood. The opening will also feature LMMM’s art exhibitions “A Chain of Memories of Many Links: The Scrapbook of Lillie Mathews” and “An Exhibition & Oil Painting Demonstration by Contemporary Artist Carlos Rios.”

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, a National Historic Landmark since 1971, is regarded as one of the earliest and finest surviving examples of French Renaissance Revival architecture in the United States. Completed in 1868, the 62-room granite summer house was the work of Detlef Lienau and contains magnificent inlaid, carved and painted interiors and beautiful objets d'art.

Paramount Pictures recently rented the mansion, and restored the magnificent Rotunda that was featured in their popular remake of The Stepford Wives.

Mr. Lockwood was treasurer of the New York Stock Exchange in 1863 and a railroad tycoon rumored to be a rival of the Vanderbilt dynasty. Lockwood's financial reversals in the economic meltdown of 1869 and his untimely death in 1872 resulted in the loss of the estate, then known as "Elm Park," through foreclosure in 1874.

The property was sold to Charles D. Mathews and his wife Rebecca in 1876. Mathews, a prominent importer from Staten Island, New York, and his family, resided in the mansion until 1938. In 1941 the estate was sold to the City of Norwalk and designated a public park.

LMMM TOURS

A team of expert docents offers tours to children and adults and introduces art
and history buffs to the splendor of America’s Guided Age, the fascinating “riches to rags” story of Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood and their lavish lifestyle during one of the most significant periods in American history, the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.

Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday. Starting times: 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Length: Approximately one hour. Admission $10.00

Some highlights of upcoming events for 2009

A Chain of Memories of Many Links: The Scrapbook of Lillie Mathews
April 1, 2009, 12:00 Noon

LMMM Curatorial Consultant Stacey Danielson will explore the creative talents of Lillie Mathews in selected pages from her illustrated scrapbook. The drawings of Mrs. William Martin, the daughter of Rebecca and Charles D. Mathews who frequently vacationed at the Mansion, will be displayed in the LMMM Music Room. A recent acquisition of the museum, it was purchased from Palmer Books of San Diego, California, in August 2006.
Admission is included in the tour

An Exhibition & Oil Painting Demonstration by Artist Carlos Rios
Opening April 1, 5-8 pm – (Demonstration April 16)

Artist Carlos Rios' original oil paintings and Giclee artwork will be on display in the Billiards Room of the Mansion April.1-30th. He is well known for his children portraits by the harbor, landscapes, seascapes, beach paths and beautiful floral scenes. His work was featured in such films as The Terminator, Blind Justice and on television's hit series Growing Pains. Rios will share his knowledge and talent by giving the viewers an oil painting demonstration on April 16.
Admission is included in the tour

Corsets in Consciousness
April 2, 2009, 7:00 pm

In an enlightening exhibition, curated by Joyce Baran, a leading intimate apparel expert and lingerie designer, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum explores the history of ladies' undergarments and reflects on women's place in society. Since 1994, Baran has been an intimate apparel spokeswoman leading seminars, in-store events, corporate presentations and television
appearances, including segments on Hard Copy, The Joan Rivers Show, A&E, and Entertainment Tonight, among others.
Admission: $15 members - $20 non-members

The LMMM Lecture Series - Opening Wednesday, April 15, 11:00 am

LMMM is pleased to announce the beginning of a Lecture Series held once a month, on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM. Lectures will be followed by a light lunch and a tour of the first floor of the mansion. The series begins on Wednesday, April 15, 11:00 am with a slide show and book signing featuring author-photographer Chester Burger with his newly released novel, "Unexpected New York: 87 Discoveries in Familiar Places. " This is a New York City guide for the New York resident or visitor looking for undiscovered treasures. Mr. Burger was America's first television news reporter in 1946, and former national manager of CBS Television News. His works are in the collections of the New York Historical Society and the Public Library. In 1995, the U.S. Government honored him with its Metal "For Outstanding Service to the United States." Mr. Burger made his discoveries, some less esoteric than others, by rummaging through obscure reference sources and roaming the city’s streets armed with a camera. Author of six books on management subjects, Mr. Burger was turned down by six publishers “because they couldn’t produce a 150-page book in full color and sell it at a ‘non-coffee table’ price.”
Admission:: $20 for members - $25 non-members,

"Mouse Tales Story Hour"
April 1st, 10:30 am

The mansion's volunteers will celebrate opening day with a new, monthly- first Wednesdays - story hour for preschoolers. This monthly “Mouse Tales Story Hour" will feature interactive readings of children's favorites and introduce the family of mice featured in our very own book, Mouse Mansion. Crafts and snacks will follow this wonderful family hour.
Free Admission
For information on our tours, education programs, events and rentals please contact 203-838-9799 or e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.


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