american tour museum

American Treasure Tour Museum

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American Treasure Tour Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Thu - Sun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• (0.72 km) Hilton Garden Inn Valley Forge/Oaks
• (0.99 km) Hampton Inn and Suites Valley Forge / Oaks
• (3.92 km) Homewood Suites by Hilton Philadelphia-Valley Forge
• (6.38 km) Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Valley Forge
• (4.25 km) Courtyard Philadelphia Valley Forge/Collegeville
• (0.27 km) Cheeburger Cheeburger
• (0.38 km) Godavari Ruchulu
• (0.54 km) Kamita Asian Bistro
• (0.57 km) P.J. Whelihan's Pub + Restaurant - Oaks
• (0.60 km) Valley Forge Turf Club

American Treasure Tour: Exploring PA’s Best Private Collection

I’ve visited many eclectic museums and museums based around large private collections, but I don’t know that I’ve ever visited anywhere that has had a private collection as large and as diverse as the American Treasure Tour in Montgomery County .

The American Treasure Tour is opened in 2010 in a former tire factory for B.F. Goodrich. From the exterior, it looks like nothing more than a mall or a warehouse, but once instead of their facility, the true magic of this place comes to life.

That’s because the American Treasure Tour is comprised of over a million pieces of memorabilia, with large collections spanning just about any subject you could possibly imagine. In fact, the collection is so large that most of it is actually seen on a tram ride through the museum’s 100,000 feet of display space.

The American Treasure Tour is located on the building’s second floor and can be accessed via both stairs and an elevator. There are two large rooms within the museum that are set up for self-guided visits while the rest of the space is seen via a guided tour on an electric tram.

Since tram space is limited, it’s recommended that you buy tickets online before arriving. Otherwise, you might have to wait a while for a tour (or maybe even not be able to get on one that day). When I was there on a Friday afternoon in July, tours were already just about full for the whole day.

While waiting for your tour, you can check out the two large rooms that allow self-guided tours. These two rooms together are larger than some museums I’ve visited, so there’s a lot to see in these spaces.

The first room is home to not just the ticket counter and the museum’s gift shop of nostalgic novelty items, but also features an incredible collection consisting primarily of musical instruments and dollhouses.

Known as the Music Room, this room showcases some incredible instruments from American history, including a nice selection of self-playing band organs, player pianos, and other similar instruments.

This room is also home to several incredibly large and intricate dollhouses. Even if you aren’t typically interested in dollhouses, the craftsmanship and attention to detail of these pieces are truly incredible, and I definitely enjoyed spending a few minutes looking at them.

The other large room is located across the hallway from the Music Room and is known as the Classic Car Exhibit Area. It’s also where the tram ride starts from.

This room, as the name implies, is filled with dozens of antique automobiles, most of which have signage near them to tell a bit about their history and importance. Of course, in the spirit of the entire museum, there are hundreds of other items packed into this room ranging from bicycles to giant stuffed animals.

At your appointed tour time, you’ll want to board the electric tram for your ride around the Toy Box, as this area is known.

The Toy Box is approximately 70,000 square feet in size, and the tram follows a narrow route through the collection, with recorded narration providing a lot of fantastic information about some of the more interesting items in the collection. 

While the tram moves quite slowly and tours last 40 minutes with continuous narration, it’s impossible to see or learn about all of the hundreds of thousands of items on display at the American Treasure Tour.

As the tour goes on, the tram stops in some places, especially around some of the mechanical musical instruments, which proceed to serenade you with their fun and unique sound. The driver also steps out in a few spots to point out different pieces in the collection.

Both the breadth and the variety of the collection here are quite amazing. Even more amazingly, this is the collection of one man who is simply dubbed “The Collector” as he wants his identity to remain a secret.

He was originally using this space to simply store the collection before he decided to start opening it up for private tours in 2011 and then, a few years later, for public tours.

Truly, just about anything you can possibly imagine from Americana can be found within the collection here including motorcycles, Disney figurines, and even giant paper mache busts of Donald Trump, Brittany Spears, and Ted Kennedy. This means that if you aren’t interested in a particular part of the collection, you almost definitely will be with what’s around the next corner.

Overall, the American Treasure Tour is a very special place to visit. Literally, no matter what you are interested in, there are sure to be areas that you’ll absolutely love, and, if you simply like fun and historic pieces, you’ll probably enjoy the entire collection.

So, the next time you are looking for something fun to do in the Philly suburbs near Valley Forge National Historical Park and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center , make sure to visit the American Treasure Tour.

Looking for even more places nearby to visit? Check out the Wharton Esherick Museum , the Elmwood Park Zoo , the Mount Misery Trails , and the Stoogeum .

American Treasure Tour

See map below for other area attractions.

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Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Based in Carlisle near Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world.

4 thoughts on “American Treasure Tour: Exploring PA’s Best Private Collection”

A great place to go if you have mobility issues and can’t do a lot of walking! The tram would let you see it all.

Definitely true. The man sitting next to me had mobility issues, but was able to see the museum just as well as I was.

We just got home from the American Treasures Tour Museum. What a great place! Thanks for the recommendation!

Glad you had a great visit! It’s definitely a neat spot.

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American Treasure Tour

One American Treasure Way, 422 Business Center Oaks, PA 19456 Phone: 610-666-0363 Region: Philadelphia & The Countryside

An expansive American antique, pop culture and assorted memoriabilia collection amalgamated by an anonymous private collector. This includes one of the largest displays of mechanical music in the country. Thousands of items displayed over 100,000 square feet. A guided tram tour takes visitors through decades of American history where they see the sounds and hear the sights of the cultural history of America.

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Many kids have never seen a phone booth or typewriter. But they certainly do know about stuffed animals.

Children will certainly enjoy seeing and hearing about all three, and adults can relive the past, at the American Treasure Tour Museum in Oaks, Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.

Ross Brakman is the director and curator and told me this week that he sees something new every day at work.

“If the kids don’t understand anything else, they understand the stuffed animals,” he said. “Part of the fun of being here is everything has a story and discovering the history of each item and the joy that it gives.”

The collection is mostly accessible by a tram ride, with narration. Displays are crowded and here there is almost too much to see. The museum sits on a 100,000-square-foot portion of the former BF Goodrich Tire Factory that was open from 1937 to 1986.

I particularly enjoyed the signs from my local history — especially the massive Gene’s Books sign from the old King of Prussia Mall.

The huge heads from Mardi Gras floats of Trump, Britney Spears and the late Sen.Ted Kennedy might not quite fit together, but are fun.

You’ll also see larger-than-life representations of The Simpsons and Ronald McDonald.

I enjoyed seeing the animatronics, or electronic characters, that are sometimes unintentionally a little creepy. About 70 old cars dating from 1906-1992 are a kick, and half of the Lit Brothers Christmas Village is fun to roll past.

Many of a collection of thousands of record albums and movie posters lining the walls bring back great memories. Who could forget rotary phones and Raggedy Ann? Or R2D2?

Record players, radios and musical instruments are everywhere. Most automatic music machines on display still work.

Brakman enjoys viewing the tags for dogs that each depict one of the 50 states, and which are placed on a map of the U.S. Pennsylvania’s tag is appropriately a keystone.

Brakman also likes seeing a replica of a movie prop from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

He also told me that the displays are always different — with so many nooks and crannies — that tourgoers will see something new and different every time they ride.

Ginny and Jerry Frey were the founders and the man who gathers much of the stuff and prefers to stay anonymous, so as to not take away from the collection.

Brakman simply refers to him as the Collector.

“He is a very private guy — very modest,” Brakman said. “He is not somebody you would recognize if you saw him.”

The collector even regularly and anonymously takes public tram tours with his family.

Brakman said that the collector wants to establish a collection of happy memories. He started out collecting hot rods.

“There is no place here for anything too serious,” Brakman said. “He hates the idea of a stuffy museum.

“Part of the goal is to make it fun. There is something here for everybody. There is something everybody can connect with, regardless of age.

“It’s his obsession. I appreciate that.”

Humor, however slight, is a part of the tour. Monty Python fans will enjoy seeing a penguin atop a TV.

The collector still gathers stuff. Many displayed items are donated, while some the collector actively pursues like the nickelodeons. The collector also goes to auctions, estate sales and shops for antiques.

The tram weaves and snakes through the crowded aisles. I asked how exhibits are not run over and was told that the cars follow each other.

“It is an experience to get an electric train through the building,” Brakman said.

There are two trams and each holds 26 passengers.

I asked about dusting and was told it’s a never-ending job. Brakman particularly dislikes when stuffed animals go bad.

“They get dirty,” he said. “That’s why I hate a dirty bear.

“They’re hard to clean.”

Experts regularly service the collection. Specialists fix the trams, the animatronics, the lighting and the nickelodeons.

Collectors find each other like employee Nick Curio did.

Curio drives the tram and after getting off the ride immediately applied for a job. He said he has a “fraction of a fraction of this collection” at home.

The clock is ticking and you might be getting old when you see stuff in a museum from your childhood and beyond. There is nothing here from the pyramids or the Civil War.

It’s fun to relive the “recent” past. Nostalgia is cool. Go take the tour; you’ll be awash with emotions. See you there.

The American Treasure Tour Museum is open Fridays through Sundays from  10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tours run at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Group tours can be arranged any day of the week.

Reservations are encouraged but not required. For more information, go to www.AmericanTreasureTour.com or call 866-970-8687.

The museum is located at One American Treasure Way, Oaks, in the 422 Business Center.

Bill Rettew is a weekly columnist and Chester County resident. He is not a big duster. The best way to contact him is at [email protected]

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Relive your childhood with a million pop culture treasures ... all under one roof!

The American Treasure Tour Museum in Oaks, PA is one man's personal collection of items - from the amazing to the obscure.

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One American Treasure Way, Oaks, PA

866-970-8687

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Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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American Treasure Tour Museum

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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A Guide of American Museums to Visit This Year

Siblings, parents and grandparents are collaborators and muses in a variety of upcoming shows around the country that highlight family traditions and bonds.

By Aodhan Beirne

This article is part of our Museums special section about how institutions are striving to offer their visitors more to see, do and feel.

The value of family in the lives and work of artists is being showcased at museums across the United States this spring.

In Texas, art by the de la Torre brothers and the Haas brothers highlights familial collaboration. In Baltimore, an exhibition of works by Joyce J. Scott is paired with an exhibition of her mother’s work, and in Florida, sculptures made by Rose B. Simpson are shown alongside those made by her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Elsewhere, family members serve as muses for artists, keeping traditions alive while transforming them with contemporary appeal. Here is a selection.

“ Steve McQueen ”

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The work in this show is a response to the killing of 10 Black people in a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store in May 2022. The artwork, poetry and prose by the Buffalo-based artists and producers Julia Bottoms, Tiffany Gaines and Jillian Hanesworth in the exhibition were created in dialogue with people affected by the attack, and they honor the contributions to the community of those who were murdered. Through Sept. 30; Buffalo AKG Art Museum, buffaloakg.org

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“ Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940-1980 ”

The focus here is on six Latin American countries that led the development of modern domestic design in the region: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. With more than 100 objects, which include furniture, ceramics and textiles, this show examines how design provides context and understanding for the political, social and cultural transformations of the period. Through Sept. 22; Museum of Modern Art, moma.org

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A fourth-generation weaver, Melissa Cody uses long-established techniques, including with a Navajo loom, while incorporating elements of contemporary technology. Highlighted here are more than 30 weavings, including one produced especially for the exhibition, that reframe and reinvent traditions. Through Sept. 9; MoMA PS1, momaps1.org

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This show takes visitors behind the scenes of restoration work of “The Bay and Harbor of New York,” an 1855 painting by Samuel Bell Waugh that depicts immigrants arriving to the city. Gary McGowan, a conservator, will be working on the painting in the gallery on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It opened on April 12, to coincide with the anniversary of the busiest day in Ellis Island history, when more than 11,000 immigrants were processed on April 17, 1907. Through Oct. 13; Museum of the City of New York, mcny.org

PORTLAND, Ore.

“ Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks ”

Showcasing nearly 60 designs that push the limits of what footwear can be, this exhibition includes sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, and shoes made for the metaverse. A mix of art, design and technology, it also features works by the architects Rem D. Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, as well as designs made in collaboration with Rick Owens, Stella McCartney and more. Through Aug. 11; Portland Art Museum, portlandartmuseum.org

LOS ANGELES

“ Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital ”

Exploring the history of filmmaking in Los Angeles, this exhibition goes back to the early 20th century and explains how the city became the industry’s epicenter. It also highlights the contributions of the Jewish filmmakers who founded the Hollywood studio system. Opens May 19; Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, academymuseum.org

“ Simone Leigh ”

The work of the multimedia artist Simone Leigh examines Black female subjectivity, and much of it draws on traditions from Africa and across the African diaspora. This comprehensive survey presents works by her in ceramic, bronze, video and installation, and it features pieces from her 2022 Venice Biennale presentation. May 26 through Jan. 20, 2025; LACMA, lacma.org

PASADENA, Calif.

“ I Saw It: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker ”

The Spanish artist Francisco de Goya is considered by many to be both the last old master and the first modern one. Much of his early work focused on portraits of the aristocracy, but Goya was also a printmaker and often used the medium to depict and scrutinize Spanish culture. On view here are his four major print series, as well as works by artists who were inspired by Goya, including Pablo Picasso, Yinka Shonibare and Andy Warhol. Through Aug. 5; Norton Simon Museum, nortonsimon.org

SAN FRANCISCO

“ Irving Penn ”

For nearly 70 years, Irving Penn helped revolutionize fashion photography. Shown here are around 175 photographs by Penn, the longtime Vogue contributor, including documentary scenes, abstract nudes and celebrity portraits of Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and more. Through July 21; de Young, famsf.org

“ Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age ”

Based on recent archaeological discoveries, this exhibition showcases the technological and artistic advancements of the Zeng and Chu states of Bronze Age China, kingdoms that preceded and were largely overshadowed in historical records by the Qin Empire. This is the final show in a trilogy at the Asian Art Museum and follows “Terracotta Warriors” and “Tomb Treasures: New Discoveries From China’s Han Dynasty.” Through July 22; Asian Art Museum, asianart.org

Mid-Atlantic

“ Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams ”

A retrospective of the 50-year career of the Baltimore-based contemporary artist, this show features more than 120 objects, including Scott’s sculpture, garments and prints, as well as performance footage and archival materials. Running through Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art is also a companion exhibition of works by Scott’s mother, “Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds, and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott.” Through July 14; Baltimore Museum of Art, artbma.org

PHILADELPHIA

“ Mary Cassatt at Work ”

Mary Cassatt was a Pennsylvania-born Impressionist painter who spent much of her adult life in Paris and whose work often depicted the social and working lives of women. This exhibition, with more than 130 works, also looks at Cassatt’s own professional life, and it will present new information about the materials she used and her artistic process. May 18 through Sept. 8; Philadelphia Museum of Art, philamuseum.org

“ Everlasting Plastics ”

First shown at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2023, this show examines how plastics shape and degrade economies and environments. Through site-specific commissions by five artists, architects and designers, it also considers how our relationship with the materials has changed as well as their unknown impact on our future. Through July 21; Carnegie Museum of Art, carnegieart.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.

“ Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960 ”

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the museum is presenting an exhibition that examines the cultural and artistic transformation during 100 years marked by increasing mechanization and scientific and philosophical development. The more than 200 artworks, shown mostly in chronological order, include pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Joan Miró and Picasso. Through April 20, 2025; Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, hirshhorn.si.edu

“ Christina Ramberg: A Retrospective ”

Christina Ramberg, part of a group of artists known as the Chicago Imagists, often depicted fragmented female bodies — hair, hands and, particularly, torsos — in her paintings. The 100 or so works shown here include some of those pieces as well as the experimental quilts that Ramberg made in the late 1980s during a break from painting. Through Aug. 11; Art Institute of Chicago, artic.edu

“ The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige ”

Though raised in Chicago’s South Side, Robert Paige helped bring West African designs into American homes in the 1970s with his Dakkabar collection of fabrics, which was carried by Sears. Six decades of his textile designs are shown here along with recent clay, painting, drawing and collage pieces that he made during a recent residency at the Hyde Park Art Center. Through Oct. 27; Hyde Park Art Center, hydeparkart.org

“ Virginia Jaramillo: Principle of Equivalence ”

The abstract artist Virginia Jaramillo draws on her studies of physics, science fiction, mythology and modernist design. Her paintings and handmade-paper works examine how we experience the physical world and offer alternative understandings through abstraction. This show, of more than 40 works, includes her “Curvilinear” series, as well as works made during a collaboration with the Dieu Donné papermill in New York. May 4 through Jan. 5, 2025; Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, mcachicago.org

“ Korean Couture: Generations of Revolution ”

This exhibition, which features about 30 pieces, including 17th-century aristocratic garments, traces the history and transformation of Korean fashion. A combination of traditional Korean aesthetics with contemporary trends is shown through the work of designers such as André Kim, Lie Sang Bong and Lee Jean Youn. Sunday through Oct. 13; Cleveland Museum of Art, clevelandart.org

“ To My Friends at Horn: Keith Haring and Iowa City ”

In 1984 and 1989, Keith Haring made trips to Iowa City to visit Ernest Horn Elementary School. On the first, he conducted workshops with students in a three-day residency, and on the second he completed a mural at the school. That mural, “A Book Full of Fun,” is on loan here while the school is renovated. May 4 through Jan. 5, 2025; University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu

Mountain West

“ Biophilia: Nature Reimagined ”

Biophilia is a theory suggesting that humans innately seek a connection with nature and other life-forms. This show, through more than 80 works, including by Iris van Herpen, Studio Gang and teamLab, reflects on that idea, particularly in the context of a digital and urban world. May 5 through Aug. 11; Denver Art Museum, denverartmuseum.org

New England

“ Beyond Brilliance: Jewelry Highlights from the Collection ”

Pulled from the museum’s collection, the more than 150 pieces in this exhibition cover thousands of years. Among the highlights are an ancient Egyptian broad-collar necklace and 20th-century designs by Tiffany & Company and Bulgari. The contemporary designers featured include Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, Wallace Chan and Feng J. Opens May 18; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; mfa.org

“ Firelei Báez ”

The work of Firelei Báez, a Dominican-born artist who lives and works in New York, examines and questions historical narratives, particularly about colonialism and the African diaspora. Her paintings, drawings and installations are informed by anthropology, geography, folklore and other disciplines. This show will feature about 40 works before it moves to Vancouver, British Columbia, and then to Des Moines. Through Sept. 2; Institute of Contemporary Art, icaboston.org

SALEM, Mass.

“ Ethiopia at the Crossroads ”

Covering nearly 2,000 years of Ethiopian art and culture, the more than 200 objects in this exhibition include painted religious icons, illuminated manuscripts and metalwork. These pieces are paired with works by contemporary artists, such as Wosene Worke Kosrof, Julie Mehretu and Helina Metaferia, to trace the artistic traditions of the East African nation to the present day. Through July 7; Peabody Essex Museum, pem.org

HARTFORD, Conn.

“ Styling Identities: Hair’s Tangled Histories ”

Done in collaboration with local hairstylists and other members of the Hartford community, this show tells the story of hair and its various meanings. Arranged in four thematic sections — dealing with issues of community, change, care and judgments — the exhibition includes works by Lee Krasner, Mickalene Thomas and Cindy Sherman, and it is drawn primarily from the museum’s collection. Braiders, barbers and other hairstylists will be on site to work on visitors’ hair as part of the exhibition. Through Aug. 11; Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, thewadsworth.org

“ Truth Told Slant: Contemporary Photography ”

This exhibition takes its name from an Emily Dickinson poem ( “Tell all the truth but tell it slant” ) and features five emerging photographers who challenge traditional documentary photography practices. Instead of showing disinterested observation, they embrace their own subjectivity on subjects such as race, sexual orientation, globalization and environmental justice. Through Aug. 11; High Museum of Art, high.org

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

“ Shinichi Sawada: Agents of Clay ”

In the mountains of Shiga Prefecture, the Japanese ceramist Shinichi Sawada, who is autistic and mostly nonverbal, creates fantastical clay figures. Shown here are about 30 of his sculptures, which explore Japanese and Shigaraki pottery traditions. Saturday through Aug. 11; Mint Museum Randolph, mintmuseum.org

“ Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous ”

The fashion photographer Ann Ray had unparalleled access to the world of Alexander McQueen, the provocative British fashion designer who died in 2010. Over 13 years and 43 collections, Ray created an archive of more than 32,000 negatives. She picked 65 photographs, which will be shown alongside dozens of McQueen garments. May 30 through Aug. 25; Frist Art Museum, fristartmuseum.org

RALEIGH, N.C.

“ To Take Shape and Meaning: Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art ”

This show features works by 75 contemporary Indigenous artists from more than 50 tribes throughout the United States and Canada. The art, including a beaded pair of Christian Louboutin shoes and a piece created from a Chevrolet El Camino, highlight the traditions and evolutions of Native art. Through July 28; North Carolina Museum of Art, ncartmuseum.org

“ Huguette Caland: Outside the Line (1970-84) ”

The Lebanese artist Huguette Caland moved to Paris in 1970. There she created a series of paintings, “Bribes de corps” (Body Parts, 1973-76), shown here alongside associated works of hers. Her erotic and abstract art depicts the body, sometimes her own and often close-up, in colorful and intimate lines. May 3 through Oct. 6; Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami; icamiami.org

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

“ Rose B. Simpson: Journeys of Clay ”

A mixed-media sculpture artist, Rose B. Simpson comes from a long matrilineal line of ceramists and potters. This show explores the relationship between Simpson, a member of the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, and her relatives, and it features sculptures by her mother, Roxanne Swentzell; her grandmother Rina Swentzell; and her great-grandmother Rose Naranjo. Through Sept. 1; Norton Museum of Art, norton.org

“ Haas Brothers: Moonlight ”

Exhibited here are a series of installations, both indoors and outdoors, by the fraternal twins Nikolai and Simon Haas, who make imaginative and fantastical sculptural objects. Among the works will be two “Moon Towers,” tall, glowing sculptures inspired by the streetlamps of Austin, Texas, that will stand in front of the museum. May 11 through Aug. 25, Nasher Sculpture Center, nashersculpturecenter.org

“ Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries ”

For the first time in the United States, the entire series of these seven large-scale tapestries will be shown. A celebration of the victory by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, over King Francis I of France in the Italian War of 1521-1526, the tapestries provide insights into Renaissance history, technology and style. They will be shown alongside arms and armor from the period. June 16 through Sept. 15; Kimbell Art Museum, kimbellart.org

SAN ANTONIO

“ de la Torre Brothers: Upward Mobility "

The brothers Einar and Jamex de la Torre began collaborating in earnest in the 1990s and create maximalist and often satirical mixed-media art. Their influences include Catholic iconography, Aztec mythology and German expressionism, and this exhibition, across four galleries, features their glass sculpture, lenticular prints, video work and installations. Through Sept. 15; McNay Art Museum, mcnayart.org

“ Multiple Realities: Experimental Art in the Eastern Bloc, 1960s-1980s ”

Highlighted here is the creative experimentation of Eastern and Central European artists of the period in their efforts to circumvent and elude the restrictions and controls on how their work was made and circulated. Nearly 100 artists from East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia are featured. Through Sept. 15; Phoenix Art Museum, phxart.org

Our newest exhibition titled, ‘The Impending Crisis’, delves into the events, individuals, and topics that led to the division of the United States on the verge of civil war. Plan your visit to ACWM-Tredegar.

Tredegar History Tours are Back!

Step back in time & immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Tredegar Iron Works with our “Tredegar History Tour” ! Located in the heart of downtown Richmond, our museum is situated on the very site where the iron foundry once stood…

Join us every weekend at 11:00 am or 2:00 pm to explore one of richmond’s famous historical sites and learn about the cannon-making process in a special site tour (included with museum admission) . you don’t want to miss it, tredegar history tour, upcoming events, “the unvanquished” with patrick o’donnell, book talk with jim downs – “maladies of empire: how colonialism, slavery, and war transformed medicine”.