Above: The Clinton museum showcases an extensive display of Russian art and international exhibits of religious icons. (Image from Facebook)
The Southborough Library added another pass to its program this summer. Thanks to the Friends of the Southborough Library, patrons can now attend the Museum of Russian Icons for free.
Each pass admits up to six people for free and six passes are on offer per day.* (So unless you have a group of more than 36 friends and family, you should be well covered!)
The art museum is located in Clinton, MA. It’s collection includes:
more than 1000 Russian icons and artifacts, the collection is the largest of its kind in North America, and one of the largest private collections outside Russia. Spanning six centuries, the collection includes important historical paintings dating from the earliest periods of icon “writing” to the present.
They also have on display information about materials/techniques, a matryoshka doll collection (nesting dolls), antique samovars (traditional Russian tea pots) and more.
This month, they have a special exhibit on loan from England, plus some new acquisitions for show. (You can see details from their website by clicking the thumbnails below.)
While you’re there, you may also want to stop by their Russian Tea Room. In addition to a variety of teas, they also sell coffees, traditional Russian snacks, and imported treats.
Finally, if you think the museum isn’t kid-friendly, think again. The museum offers these helpful tips to visitors with children:
- On the lower level of the Museum we have a Kids’ Corner with Russian toys, books, and activities.
- The Museum offers various activities for families, including our award-winning Discovery Guides. We also have an alphabet scavenger hunt that kids can use to explore the Museum’s galleries. Please inquire at the front desk for any new children activities or spaces as they often change with new exhibitions. Discovery Guides are free with admission (one per visitor, please).
To take advantage of library passes, check availability and reserve passes through the TixKeeper Museum Pass system on the library website. Or you can ask library staff for help. Swing by the Main Desk upstairs or call 508-485-5031.
For museum details including hours and directions, click here.
*The passes are reusable, so must be returned the next morning by 10:00 am. (But with several on offer, you may be able to check the pass out for two days to make that return easier.)
This is a hidden treasure! Four of us took the pass last Saturday, and thoroughly enjoyed the visit..and the tea room too. Not to mention the beautiful park right across the street. A great preview for our upcoming trip to Russia. I highly recommend this!
A lovely surprise. I’ve been to Russia a few times and thought I’d had my fill of icons, as beautiful as they are, but friends wanted to go. I was very impressed by the way they have restored an old (mill?) building into a spectacular space. There are also photo exhibits and other things of interest.
AND if you’ve never been to Clinton, it’s a nice town with an old-fashioned feel (a rea;l Main Street, churches, a court house I think. It’s a nice trip into maybe the late 1800 and early 1900s. Also farm stands, etc. nearby.