Story & Photo by William M. Dowd<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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CANAJOHARIE — For more than 75 years, the attractive stone building on Erie Boulevard housed both the local library and a small portion of a stunning collection of American art.<\/p>\n

The Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery was built in 1925 through funds contributed by Bartlet Arkell, the man who created the sprawling Beech-Nut food processing plant located right across the street as well as the art collection.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, a new incarnation of the building was unveiled to the public — the spacious new two-story Arkell Museum at Canajoharie that is connected to the original library and holds Arkell’s huge collection of late-19th century and early-20th century embracing works by the likes of Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Gay, Childe Hassam, Thomas Hart Benton, Walter Lunt Palmer and the contemporary painter Walter Hartke.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This gritty little industrial village of 2,300 residents is an easy drive on the Thruway from the Capital Region. Use Exit 29, a $1.80 toll, and you’re at the museum in less than a minute. It will be the best $1.80 you’ve ever spent.<\/p>\n

From the 1930 bronze sculpture “Humoresque” by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth (1880-1980) that dominates the exterior courtyard (seen above) facing the iconic Beech-Nut factory to grouping after grouping of oils, watercolors, sketches, advertising art and engravings, New York State’s newest museum is a joy.<\/p>\n

For a look at a cross-section of the art on display, go here<\/a> and click on the individual pieces of art.<\/p>\n

(Posted 09\/25\/07)<\/p>\n

William M. Dowd is a Capital Region writer and photographer. He’ll help you keep up with information on food, drink and destinations at Taste for Travel<\/a> and Dowd On Drinks<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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