Judy A. Greenberg

The challenge of developing something new and watching it evolve into a functioning entity is a remarkable experience. I have had that supreme honor. In January 1994, I was appointed the Director of The Kreeger Museum. There was no doubt in my mind that the distinguished art collection amassed by Carmen and David Kreeger, with the stunning edifice Philip Johnson designed to display the collection, would become one of the treasures of the nation's capital.
 
Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to meet David Kreeger before his death in 1990. I did, however, have the pleasure of knowing Carmen, his elegant partner in life, who died in 2003. Understanding what the Kreegers represented to the Washington community, and the love and respect their family and friends had for them, guided me in setting forth a vision for the museum. The Kreegers were not only collectors, they were pillars of the community. Their involvement in the arts and support of local artists and universities was an integral part of their lives. My challenge was to create a museum that would have its own distinct personality in a city famous for its museums. To achieve this goal, I followed a path that I felt the Kreegers would approve.

On June 1, 1994, The Kreeger Museum opened to the public. From the beginning, the museum established itself as one of the gems in the District of Columbia. In an era of museum expansion, the Kreeger offers a secluded and peaceful environment. Situated on 5.5 acres of wooded land, the postmodernist structure boasts beautiful views complemented by a spiritual serenity. The furnishings are gone, leaving the viewer to enjoy the galleries Philip Johnson envisioned for the Kreegers' art. There is no intent to expand the building. It is meant to be an intimate museum that offers the visitor an opportunity to experience a very personal collection while interacting with the architecture and nature. 

I invite you to acquaint yourself with our temporary exhibition program, lectures and discussions, membership program, concerts, our popular StoryTime for preschoolers and a recent initiative, Conversations at The Kreeger Museum: A Program for Individuals Living with Alzheimer's Disease and their Caregivers. Conversations tours are intended to stimulate conversation and memories for participants, and impart a general sense of well-being. The first museum program in Washington, DC, we have forged partnerships with leading institutions including Georgetown University and Howard University Hospital to establish a research component for this worthwhile program.

The Kreeger Museum continues to strive for excellence as it carries on the vision of founders David and Carmen Kreeger. Our goal is to provide a greater awareness and enlighten our audience to the wonderful world of art, architecture, and music.