BOSTON – Saturday 33 years About the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the museum announced it will be closing today.
However, the museum said the closure had nothing to do with the anniversary, but rather a protest that museum officials feared would damage the artworks.
“We have been told that climate activists were planning a demonstration at our museum that could endanger our community and artworks. After careful consideration and ample warning to museum visitors, staff and artworks, we have decided to close,” the museum said. in the statement.
“Isabella Stewart Gardner saw her museum as a place to share art, community and conversation. She was an advocate for all art forms and the environment, especially horticulture,” said Peggy Fogelman, director of Norma Jean Calderwood. “While our mission is to uphold Isabella’s values, we do not support such tactics, which target art institutions and could potentially endanger the museum’s collection, staff and visitors.”
It was bad timing for one family who was on vacation from Louisiana and was excited to see the museum.
“We came from New Orleans,” said Jessica DeFraites. “I mean it took a 30 minute train to get here.”
All people who bought advance tickets will get their money back. We apologize for the inconvenience to our visitors, members and the entire Gardner community. The museum will open again tomorrow. For more information, visit ISGM.org.
The museum said anyone with tickets for Saturday could choose another day to visit or receive a full refund.
“I’ve been trying to see this museum for a while, but we’ll have to try next time,” said visitor from Vermont, Nadie Vanzandt.
The closing comes on the 33rd anniversary of the day thieves disguised as Boston police officers tricked two security guards into letting them into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The guards were then tied up in the museum’s basement, and the thieves got away with 13 works of art.
The lost art, which includes works by Rembrandt, Degas, Manet and Vermeer, is estimated to be worth at least $500 million. The empty frames remain in the museum.
“I come every year on March 18, for the last eight or nine years, to see the empty frames,” said visitor Michelle Dixon.
The museum is offering a $10 million reward for any information leading to the return of the stolen works.