Here's a view of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts on a picture-perfect June morning. There's something pleasing about seeing this treasure across the lake in Hagerstown's City Park, even if you don't go inside very often. And there's something reassuring in the realization that the WCMFA has been a repository of fine art since sometime in the Hoover Administration. Do yourself a favor and take a look at what's in there. Do it soon, repeat often.
For my fellow data-junkies, note that WCMFA is one of only four art museums in Maryland accredited by the American Association of Museums, and two of those are in Baltimore. (For you rocket scientists who are keeping track, the other one is the Academy Art Museum in Easton.)
So, I ask you: when visitors discover this lovely place in Hagerstown, many of them are startled to find it here. In Hagerstown. Does that offend you a little, or are you amused that we can keep a secret so well? I find it rewarding to surprise people with how much we have accomplished here in our great little city. Most people in the region know us for our outlet malls, the state prison, and a bunch of long-closed factories. Yes, that's part of what we are, but we have art, we have music, we have education, and we have baseball. Now if we can work on our self-esteem and then get some good-paying jobs in the community, we'll be all set.
Embiggen for ducks, swans, strollers. Pretty.
1 comment:
Right on, Kevin -- the City Park museum is one of the jewels of the town, and it's a real shame more people outside the area don't know about it. I do my share of bitching about Hagerstown, its more close-minded residents, its crappy newspaper, but there are so many great things about this place, and I honestly would never want to live anywhere else.
We've got the Fine Arts Museum, we've got the Suns, we've got the libraries and the Blues Fest and the Maryland Theater. I'd take any one of 'em over having Wal-Mart's Supercenter of the Year.
--Steve
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