Smith Art Museum — Attraction in Springfield

The GWV Smith is a special place that receives fewer guests than it deserves. It is in part an acquired taste, but still a unique time-capsule allowing visitors not only to enjoy the wonderful collection of "treasures" it contains, but also to contemplate the collecting tastes of a Victorian couple and their take on both U.S. and Asian art and cultures. The building itself is an architectural gem, inside and out, featuring an arched Florentine portico in brick on the front façade and late nineteenth century woodwork and extensive leaded glass within. The distinct collections include rooms with Japanese armor and metalwork (downstairs), Japanese ceramics and netsuke (upstairs), Chinese decorative arts, Islamic carpets and other decorative arts, and a salon hang of paintings mostly by U.S. artists that the Smiths collected, including one showing the couple inspecting some of their own holdings. The downstairs also has a large hall full of plaster casts of classic European sculptures, a rare surviving assemblage of what was once a common educational tool for teaching drawing. To be sure, it helps to appreciate these diverse holdings if you have some background in art history. It also helps if you are with a friend or family with whom you can engage in conversation about the meaning of these items from diverse cultures being bought and installed as they were, particularly in this time of discussion of (de)colonization. The exhibitions have largely remained the same for years, even decades, and sadly some items are noticeably deteriorating (particularly in their wonderful collection of "Turkish" carpets several of which are decaying and need to be dismounted, conserved, and reinstalled--although it is one of the few parts of their holdings for which a proper catalogue was issued years ago), so get their while you can! One admission covers both the Smith and the Fine Art Museum across the quadrangle;...

My family and I visited the Smith Museum at around 1:30 PM today (May 27th 2025) and we had an upsetting experience that unfortunately ruined what should have been a pleasant outing.

While visiting the sculptures exhibit (the green room with mostly Roman sculptures) My uncle, who is visiting from another country, politely asked a museum staff member — possibly a facilities worker — if a certain exhibit area was open. The staff member responded in a condescending tone, saying “Speak English,” and was immediately rude and dismissive. When I stepped in to clarify that my uncle was just asking a simple question, the employee shouted “Can’t you read the sign?” and slammed the door in out faces.

We reported the incident to museum security, and a security manager came to address it. The staff member, however, deflected blame, refused to take accountability, and falsely accused my uncle of being “uncooperative.” When I asked the security manager how my uncle could be considered uncooperative just for asking a question, the manager simply said he was relaying the staff’s version of events.

This entire encounter was deeply hurtful. It made us feel that our differences weren’t welcome — a disappointing message in a city as diverse as Springfield. To be treated so rudely and dismissively by museum staff was shocking and ultimately ruined our day.

So, if you happen to be a person with a heavy accent, or if English is not your first language I suggest being mindful that there is a chance you may come across racist, intolerant and unwelcoming staff/workers at this museum.

I hope the museum reflects on this situation seriously. Everyone deserves to be treated with basic respect, especially in a public institution that should celebrate culture...

This museum is beautiful, the architectural style of the building housing these art pieces is art in itself. The layout of the exhibits inside was very well put together as well, from what we saw, as we weren't able to explore the whole museum, unfortunately. However, the use of space and the information provided for each piece was rather good. I'd love to go back and continue...