Tucked away, in the most unassuming of buildings, there is a secret garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of the most unique and intimate museums I have ever visited. The museum intertwines art and botanical, balancing the feelings of grand and cozy. The story behind the museum begins with Isabella Gardner and her husband, who were avid art collectors. They traveled the world collecting high priced pieces like paintings, sculptures, rare books, furniture, and textiles. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is home to over 2,500 of their unique collectable items.
I entered the museum starting with the entrance green house, walking through the gorgeous displays of flowers and foliage. I spotted some unique orchids, large purple incurved chrysanthemums, and even some cacti!
The museum was created by Isabella after her husband's passing in the early 1900's. She established the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum as a place to honor and display the extensive art collection they had acquired together. Isabella designed every inch of this three-story museum, pulling inspiration from a 15th century Venetian Palace with a glass roof, pink garden courtyard walls, and warm intimate exhibit rooms.
Walking into the garden courtyard took my breath away. The glass ceiling, lush garden, and Italian architecture is a piece of art itself.
Isabella created this museum to not only honor her art collection but also to inspire those who enter the museum to pursue the arts themselves. Isabella and her husband's love for the arts is such a beautiful love story and this building is the creation of the love they had for each other as well as the humanities.
I could easily spend all day sitting in the courtyard, taking in the sights. The love story behind the museum is such a romantic narrative, you can't help but fall head-over-heels.
Now all that is missing in the garden is you! I've kept a spot open, will you come join me?
Planning to visit Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum? Click here for admission and location information.
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