The holidays arrive early at the Brandywine Museum of Art with the Brandywine Railroad and new "Wyeth Miniatures" exhibition

Chadds Ford, PA, October 16, 2024 — The holidays will arrive early to the Brandywine Museum of Art this season with the return of the Brandywine Railroad holiday train display, plus a new exhibition that will highlight the miniature worlds created and loved by the Wyeth family of artists—including two additional model train displays that will delight visitors of all ages. Both exhibitions will be on view daily beginning November 16, 2024 through January 5, 2025. The Museum’s atrium will also be decked out with towering trees adorned with Brandywine’s signature, handmade “Critter” ornaments, and a variety of holiday events and programs for the whole family will be offered throughout the season.

Since its debut in 1972, the Brandywine Railroad’s iconic O-gauge model train display has captivated generations of Museum visitors. The expansive display features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and includes more than 1,000 pieces, such as locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater and even a carnival. A dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains can be seen chugging through the varied scenery, including those made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. Interactive components are incorporated throughout the display, operated by buttons and foot pedals that allow for further visitor engagement.

Adding to the trove of tiny treasures on view, a new exhibition, titled The Wonderful World of Wyeth Miniatures, will feature dollhouses and model trains that were previously owned by members of the famously creative Wyeth family, which they lovingly outfitted with handcrafted tiny furnishings, paintings, and unique details. On view in Brandywine’s Strawbridge Family Gallery, this exhibition includes two model train displays that belonged to artist Jamie Wyeth and Nicholas Wyeth, both sons of the renowned American artist Andrew Wyeth. Nicholas Wyeth’s 8x12 foot standard gauge train display features historic “tinplate” Lionel trains from the 1920s and 30s traveling around colorful buildings and scenery, including a grand bridge modeled after New York’s iconic Hellgate Bridge and a grouping of military miniatures collected by his father, Andrew. Jamie Wyeth’s 4x6 foot N-gauge train display—one of the smallest model trains and originally co-owned by Wyeth and his friend and fellow toy collector, artist Andy Warhol—features personalized details by both artists, including a miniature figurine modeled after Wyeth’s famous Pumpkinhead self-portrait.

Wyeth Miniatures will also include one of the rooms from a captivating nine-foot-tall dollhouse previously owned by Ann Wyeth McCoy—the talented composer, pianist, and daughter of N.C. and Carolyn Bockius Wyeth—which was built by her husband, the artist John McCoy. Outfitted by her family with several handmade furnishings, the dollhouse room is decorated with miniature paintings by her sister and brother-in-law Henriette Wyeth and Peter Hurd, as well as by her brother Andrew Wyeth. One of Jamie Wyeth’s tiny paintings designed for the dollhouse will be displayed for the first time in years, and several miniature furniture creations by Nathaniel Wyeth, Ann's mechanical engineer brother, will also be on view.

Adding to the holiday festivities, the Brandywine’s annual Holiday Critter Sale will return in person to the Museum this year from November 21–24, 2024, with a member preview sale on November 20. Each year since 1971, these distinctive ornaments have been carefully handcrafted by a dedicated group of Brandywine volunteers using only natural materials such as teasel, pinecones, acorns, eggshells, flowers and seed pods. Thousands of “classic Critter” favorites and fanciful new creations will be available for purchase during the annual sale, including a new limited-edition series of Critters inspired by Philadelphia’s favorite sports teams. This year’s sale will be held in person in the Museum’s new Waterview Room on the second floor. Beginning November 25, the remaining inventory of Critters will be available for purchase in the Museum Shop. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s Art Education & Public Programming. A smaller selection of Critter ornaments is also available for purchase online and can be shipped across the country by visiting www.brandywine.org/critters.

Beginning November 16, 2024 through January 5, 2024, the Museum will be open seven days a week throughout the holiday season, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day, and closing early on Christmas Eve at 1 p.m.). Between December 26–30, the Museum will be open later for extended holiday hours from 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

Special holiday events and activities throughout the season include:

Sensory-Friendly Access Hours: Brandywine Railroad
November 20 & January 2, 5–7 p.m.
After-hours access to the Brandywine Railroad for individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorder and their families.

Breakfast with the Trains
November 24, December 7, January 4, 8:30–10 a.m.
Enjoy early access to the Brandywine Railroad before the Museum opens, plus a continental breakfast in the Millstone Café.

Holiday Critter Sale
November 21–24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Member preview sale on November 20)
Browse and shop from thousands of unique, handcrafted ornaments made from all-natural materials by the Brandywine’s dedicated and talented volunteers.

The Polar Express Read-Aloud Pajama Night
December 4, 6–8 p.m.
Children are invited to wear their pajamas as they delight in the tale of The Polar Express and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and exclusive access to the Brandywine Railroad.

Children's Holiday Party
December 11, 6–8 p.m.
Visit with Santa and enjoy entertainment, costumed characters, model trains, trees adorned with Critters and tasty treats in the Museum's Millstone Cafe.

Holiday Choral Concert: Lancaster Chamber Singers
December 15, 2 p.m.
Enjoy a holiday musical performance by The Lancaster Chamber Singers at the Brandywine Museum of Art.

Additional events can be found at www.brandywine.org/events. Support for the Brandywine Railroad is provided by The Davenport Family Foundation Fund for Exhibitions, JPMorganChase, and Herr Foods.

About the Brandywine Museum of Art:

The Brandywine Museum of Art features an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th-century Mill building with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine Creek. The Museum is located on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, PA. Current admission rates and hours of operation can be found at www.brandywine.org/hours. Guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, N. C. Wyeth House & Studio and the Kuerner Farm—all National Historic Landmarks—are available seasonally (for an additional fee); advance reservations are recommended. For more information, call 610.388.2700 or visit brandywine.org/museum. The Museum is one of the two programs of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.

About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art:

The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites, and important artists. The Conservancy protects the lands and waters throughout the Brandywine Valley and other priority conservation areas, developing sustainable approaches to emerging needs and assuring preservation of majestic open spaces and protection of natural resources for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.

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