(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Marking the most significant expansion since its founding in 1910, Woodmere has announced the grand opening of its second location—an ambitious transformation of a 19th-century residence into a dynamic, 21st-century museum. Opening to the public on November 1, 2025, the expansion adds 14 new galleries, a children's art and education studio, and new public spaces for events and programs— encompassing 17,000 square feet of interior space and four additional acres of preserved greenspace.
Just seventy steps from Woodmere’s original Charles Knox Smith Hall, Maguire Hall extends the Museum’s mission to celebrate Philadelphia’s artists by showcasing previously stored and newly acquired artworks. Highlights include galleries dedicated to Philadelphia’s distinctive schools of American Impressionism, modernism, mid-century abstraction, and figurative realism; a new “vault” for the city’s historic jewelry arts; series by Violet Oakley and the Red Rose Girls; and a study-center and galleries for works on paper.
The two buildings are now enhanced by a newly designed “art trail”, weaving through sculpture installations and immersive “art + nature” garden experiences, known as WOW (Woodmere’s Outdoor Wonder). Among the highlights are two major works by Robinson Fredenthal—White Water, 1977, and On the Rocks, 1978—continuing Woodmere’s ongoing dedication to create an inspiring environment where art, nature, and community converge.
Nestled in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood, Woodmere—now comprised of the original Charles Knox Smith Hall site and the new Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art and Education expansion—offers a unique museum experience that centers on the art and artists of Philadelphia. Vibrant exhibitions explore the achievements and social ideas of the city’s artists in the broader context of American art.
With the opening of Maguire Hall, Woodmere affirms its position as a must-see destination for art and nature for both local and international audiences. The opening weekend will include free public admission with a variety of festivities, Saturday, November 1, from 10:00am – 5:00pm, and Sunday, November 2, from 10:00am – 5:00pm.
This expansion is made possible through a lead gift from the Maguire Foundation, in honor of the late Frances M. Maguire, an artist and philanthropist who served on Woodmere’s board of trustees.
“The opening of Frances M. Maguire Hall represents a transformation of Woodmere, solidifying its contribution to the broader stream of American art with its superlative collection of Philadelphia's art. Fourteen new galleries make for an exponential expansion of our ability to showcase our collection, weaving together the vivid tapestry of American history and the diverse voices of Philadelphia's artists,” states William R. Valerio, Ph.D., The Patricia Van Burgh Allison Director and CEO of Woodmere. “Our architectural and curatorial decisions were inspired by the spirit of our dear friend, artist and philanthropist Frances M. Maguire, whose belief in the mind-opening power of the arts knew no limits. We wanted to create unified grounds where art, nature, and community come together— honoring Philadelphia’s artistic legacy while offering new ways to engage with it.”
Frances M. Maguire Hall Building History
In 2021, Woodmere acquired St. Michael’s Hall, a 19th-century residence building formerly belonging to the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The sisters had initially used the mansion as a dormitory for students but then converted it into a residence for themselves for most of the period of their ownership. With an outpouring of community support and contributions from individuals across Philadelphia, Woodmere purchased the estate in October 2021 and endowed its maintenance, renaming the residence Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art and Education.
In purchasing the estate, Woodmere prevented commercial development of the site. The Museum also preserved the open greenspace and addressed the environmental imperatives associated with its location at the center of the Wissahickon Watershed, which is estimated to provide between 15 and 20 percent of Philadelphia’s drinking water.
“The Maguire Foundation’s lead gift on this remarkable project generated a groundswell of support from donors and other foundations that allowed us to fully fund the building and its renovation. Dr. Valerio had an exciting vision to put our collection on display in a whole new way, and our only debt is one of gratitude to those who made this possible,” comments James Alexandre, Woodmere’s Board of Trustees President. “This project completely changes the ability for student groups, visitors, and scholars to access one of the great collections of American art and Philadelphia artists. Works by Violet Oakley, the Pennsylvania Impressionists, contemporary artists, and much more can now be on permanent display.”
The building and grounds remain dedicated to Woodmere’s founder's intention of the “marriage” of art and nature. With that in mind, Woodmere chose highly qualified landscape architects in addition to the building architects. Matthew Baird Architects of New York City and Mount Desert Island, Maine, was the lead architect for the Frances M. Maguire Hall project. The firm, known widely for its arts and residential commissions, worked with Woodmere for several years on master planning; Baird worked in partnership with Krieger + Associates Architects and Andropogon Landscape Architects, as well as Sullivan Construction, and Aegis Property Group.
The landscape architects, Andropogon Associates, have developed a landscape that includes pedestrian accessibility and greater biodiversity. Andropogon Associates is an award-winning, MBE-certified landscape architecture and ecological planning firm with offices in Philadelphia, PA, and Raleigh, NC.
“Andropogon is grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Woodmere’s Maguire Hall team for the preservation of this significant property within the Wissahickon Watershed, to enhance its biodiversity and access for the education and enjoyment of the community and public at large,” adds José Almiñana of Principal Andropogon Associates.
Matthew Baird, FAIA, Principal of Baird Architects, says, “It has been a great honor to help save this historic house and landscape, and to reimagine it with Woodmere as a place for art and education.”
Jeff Krieger, President of Krieger + Associates, Architects, comments, “The acquisition and renovation of St. Michael’s Hall by Woodmere is a monumental achievement made possible by the Museum’s director, Bill Valerio, the Woodmere board, and donors. Without their vision, the historic 19th-century building would likely have been demolished, and the extensive open space developed. The preservation of the building and grounds provides multigenerational benefits to the Museum, Chestnut Hill, and surrounding neighborhoods. We are thrilled to be a part of this transformative project.”
Collection
The core of Woodmere’s collection is the gift of Charles Knox Smith (1845 – 1916). Born of modest means, Smith built his fortune in the mining industry, and he became a city leader and passionate art collector. In 1898, he purchased the Woodmere estate—now known as Charles Knox Smith Hall—with the grand ambition of creating a museum of the fine arts immersed in the green beauty of Chestnut Hill. He expanded and transformed his home into a showcase for his art collection as a gift to the people of Philadelphia. Smith focused much of his collecting on Philadelphia’s artists, but his Hudson River paintings remain on view and are considered the best in Philadelphia to this day. For almost forty years up to 1978, the artist Edith Emerson was Woodmere’s director, and she established a focus on women artists, especially collecting those in the circle of her life partner, Violet Oakley.
Since 2010, a top collecting priority at Woodmere has been to bring a greater diversity of artists into the collection, and this has led to the acquisition of important historical and contemporary works including those by artists such as Henry Bermudez, Moe Brooker, Barbara Bullock, Syd Carpenter, Lewis Tanner Moore, and Jerry Pinkney, who chose Woodmere to preserve one-third of his collection. Woodmere’s original Charles Knox Smith Hall building will continue to be the location for galleries of 19th-century art (including Woodmere’s collection of Hudson River paintings), special exhibitions, children’s art, and the Museum's Store and staff offices.
Throughout the year, Woodmere offers family events, tours, gallery talks, lectures, panel discussions, studio art classes, film, and music performances. The Charles Knox Smith Hall is located at 9201 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19118. The Frances M. Maguire Hall address is 9001 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19118. Both buildings will follow the current hours, open to the public Wednesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. Current admission is $10; Admission is always FREE on Sunday.
Nestled in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Woodmere offers a unique museum experience that centers on the art and artists of Philadelphia. Vibrant exhibitions explore the achievements and social ideas of Philadelphia’s artists in the broader context of American art; Woodmere prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in its collecting, programming, and admission policies.
In 2025, Woodmere will open a second site named Frances M. Maguire Hall for Art and Education, alongside its existing Charles Knox Smith Hall location. Marking Woodmere’s most significant expansion since its founding in 1910, the opening of the second site adds 14 new galleries showcasing Woodmere’s permanent collection, featuring American Impressionism, figurative arts, modernism, and Philadelphia’s jewelry arts. The expansion also introduces a children’s art and education studio, along with new public spaces for events and programs.
The Maguire Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for people and educating the next generation of leaders. Founded by James J. and Frances M. Maguire and grounded in the teachings of Saint Ignatius Loyola that we are men and women for others, the foundation invests in education, the arts and humanities, and the relief of hunger and homelessness.
Frances M. Maguire (1935 – 2020) was an artist and philanthropist who, with her husband James J. Maguire, founded the Maguire Foundation. Known to family and friends and throughout the art community as Frannie, she was a much beloved advocate who believed that art opens the mind and the soul alike, promoting spiritual health and self- expression. She was especially focused on opportunities for children’s art education.
Mrs. Maguire served on Woodmere’s Board of Trustees from 1989 through 1995, thereafter serving continuously as an emeritus trustee and as a member of its Collection Management Committee.
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