"As I walked into Ballantine House, a Gilded Age mansion built in 1885, I was greeted by the soft tinkling of teacups, the crackling sounds of a fireplace, and gentle piano music. The immersive soundscape is one of many ways that the Newark Museum of Art is ushering the historic mansion into the 21st century. Ballantine House was once occupied by three generations of the Ballantine family, who earned their fortune as owners of a successful brewery in Newark."
"The Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey considers Ballantine House the largest object in its collection. The Newark Museum of Art acquired the home in 1937 and used it as office and gallery space before restoring two of its three floors and opening them to the public. In 2023, Ballantine House reopened after a two-year, $12 million renovation. Admission to the museum costs $10 for adult non-members."
Ballantine House is a Gilded Age mansion built in 1885 by John and Jeannette Ballantine, owners of a successful Newark brewery. The Newark Museum of Art acquired the home in 1937 and later restored two of its three floors for public access. A two-year, $12 million renovation completed in 2023 added contemporary art, interactive exhibits, and realistic soundscapes while preserving historical features. Curators integrated underrepresented narratives alongside period restoration, aiming to reflect Newark's modern, diverse population. The house functions as the museum's largest collection object and includes immersive elements such as music, fireplace sounds, and period furnishings.
Read at Business Insider
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