Mission
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art offers a place to share compelling and meaningful cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas, perspectives and possibilities.
Vision
We imagine a world in which everyone feels valued and represented.
The Westmoreland’s Values
Welcoming, Inclusive, Collaborative, Kind, Inspiring
The Westmoreland recognizes the importance of the role cultural institutions have in the formation of collective memory.
As part of that work, we want to acknowledge that The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is situated upon the traditional lands of the Adena, Hopewell, Monongahela, Osage, Delaware, Shawnee, Seneca, and Seneca-Cayuga peoples.
We honor all of the indigenous nations and their land with great gratitude.
As a museum of American art, we use the power of art to explore and reveal the erasure of many lived experiences that comprise the complexity of American history.
After being originally established in 1949 through a generous bequest from Mary Marchand Woods, a long-time Greensburg resident who wanted her community to have an important cultural institution, The Westmoreland first opened its doors to the public in 1959. From the early years, an inspirational collection of significant American art was amassed, alongside a strong exhibition and educational program.
A 1997 campaign greatly improved the visitor’s experience at the Museum, and made it a vital and forward-thinking regional asset.
With its 50th Anniversary in 2009, there was an opportunity to celebrate past accomplishments and discuss future goals as a museum for the 21st century—marked by a long-planned-for expansion and renovation.
After a national search, Ennead Architects of New York was selected to design The New Westmoreland—a dynamic building to reflect its era and its function. LaQuatra Bonci Landscape Architects of Pittsburgh was chosen to beautify the Museum grounds.
The transformational and LEED® certified design features a complete renovation of the original 30,000 square-foot space, and includes a 13,287 square-foot addition with new galleries and community and educational programming spaces.
The centerpiece of the building expansion is a cantilevered wing that provides expanded space for traveling exhibitions and a new collection of post-1950s works. Also, the wing’s lower level allows for a large community room space to present concerts, educational programming and private rental events.
Outdoors, a masterful design unfolds with a series of intimate gardens filled with native plantings and terraces with space for dining and gatherings. The Garden’s innovative, environmentally-sustainable and fully ADA-accessible design features outdoor sculptures, seating areas and Wi-Fi. It can be enjoyed year-round.
We believe everyone in the region should have access to The Westmoreland Museum of American Art on their own terms. To show support of our community, we eliminated our suggested donation admission policy so the Museum is truly free and open to all. This decision is grounded in our belief that everyone should have equitable access to the arts. Learn more about our free admission.
In 2021, the staff and board revisited The Westmoreland’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion. The Westmoreland Museum of American Art recognizes that for many, art museums have been structured to be exclusive institutions with real and perceived barriers. As The Westmoreland looks to the future, we strive to be a Museum of the 21st Century that is inclusive and relevant to all, which requires that we commit to actions that will result in measurable change. As a Museum, we use the power of art to explore and reveal the complexity of American history in an effort to create a more just and equitable society.
The Westmoreland is committed to being an anti-racist institution and fostering a culture that supports and advances DEAI efforts and aligns with our mission, vision and values. This commitment is fully embedded in Museum’s strategic and operational plan. We commit to this work as never ending, evolving, and with the expectation that we will make
mistakes and learn from them along the way. Most importantly, we recognize that our actions speak louder than any written document and that we will be accountable by what we do in addition to what we say.
To view The Westmoreland’s strategic plan, click here.
