It’s the Frick…House (Part 2, Art Museum, Car & Carriage Museum)

If Clayton alone isn’t enough for you, or if you prefer a more economical day out, then may I suggest the Frick Art Museum and Car & Carriage Museum? Everyone I know would enjoy at least one, if not both, of these options and better yet, both are FREE admission (there is a box for donations at the entrances).

My focus for this trip was to see the Art Museum and the new exhibition Icons of American Photography. This is a collection of images from the Cleveland Museum of Art representing photography and technology from 1850-1960. The first pieces I saw walking in the door were a collection of daguerreotypes. I’ve seen daguerreotypes before, mostly faded and weathered, but these were crisp, sharp, and almost eerie. It was a very striking set with typically odd Victorian subjects.

As I moved around the room, I was struck by some of the turn-of-the-century western landscapes from Yosemite and other western parks. Since I just watched the National Parks series on PBS, I recognized several of the locations and it was fun to see in person images I had just watched on TV.

Portraits were scattered among these landscapes, including one of Georgia O’Keefe by Alfred Stieglitz and a striking photo of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. Turning the corner, I came face-to-face with an incredible photograph by Ansel Adams, whose work I’ve only ever seen in books. Seeing the real thing, in person, was a great experience.

In my opinion, this exhibit is well worth visiting and small enough that it can be enjoyed in a reasonable period of time.

I also walked through the permanent collection and I was struck by the same feeling I had at Clayton. It was almost like Helen Clay Frick was welcoming me into her home, albeit the public and ritzy part of her home. The pieces displayed here are from her personal collection and include 14th century religious panel paintings, 18th century French paintings, furniture, and more. I particularly enjoyed the fact that I could get up close and really see these paintings. There are only a few rooms, so I felt that I could spend the time seeing each one and not worry about what was around the next corner. It was an intimate, relaxing experience to tour the Art Museum and for this price, you’d be crazy not to stop by.

If art is not your thing and you've been dragged to the Frick, perhaps you'll enjoy the Car & Carriage Museum which I thought was nice and which Your Active Husband could have stayed in for hours on end. This museum contains an array of fine cars and carriages, including several used by the Fricks, which Helen Frick brought back to Pittsburgh. Also in the museum are automobiles donated by G. Whitney Snyder. The cars range in age from an 1881 Brougham to a 1940 American Bantam Convertible Coupe. There is even a car built in Pittsburgh; I didn’t know we had a company.

I must confess that, as with all things cars, I probably could not fully appreciate the fine collection of vehicles in front of me. Nevertheless, they were very pretty and had nice upholstery. (I’m learning to appreciate these cars more after seeing the Vintage Grand Prix this year at Schenley Park. I highly recommend you see the race next summer, particularly early on when they’re racing the really old cars. It’s very unpredictable and fun.) Disregarding my untrained eye, Your Active Husband assures me that the cars was very cool and several were famous models that he had only ever seen in books or on TV. Even if cars are not your thing, I suggest at least taking a look in the museum.

The Frick Art and History Center is open Tue-Sat 10 am to 5 pm and includes free parking in the lot on their grounds. For directions and more information visit their website.