We all know about Wal-Mart and the story of Sam Walton's rise to success. But I did not know how one of his daughters, Alice, the youngest, has spent some of her 21 billion on a museum in Bentonville, dedicated to American Art from the colonial age to modern time.
The Museum is in a setting of Ozark woods and streams in a building, or really group of them, that is absolutely beautiful. It opened 11-11-11.
A full-sized stainless steel tree is in front of the Museum. Don't sit under it in a thunderstorm.
And the buildings are connected to each other with windows overlooking pools of water and streams. The entrance cost was favorable... FREE, thanks to, you guessed it, Wal-Mart.
This is the dining room with prices very moderate.
The grounds are like a park with walking trails throughout.
This piece of art is so real, though a little larger than life-size. He even had grey whiskers.
Now we all know who this is...the Father of our Country, George Washington. What would you give to have him hanging around your living room? Alice gave 6.2... as in million to hang him in her Museum!
But this gem, called Kindred Spirits, was purchased by Ms. Walton from the New York Public Library for.... are you ready... hold on to your pocket books.... for...
$35,000,000! Remember that next time you shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club. I'm sure I must have purchased at least a leaf off the tree over the years.
1 comment:
Alice is attempting purchase of some Georgia O'Keefe paintings from college in the south that needs funds for paintings O'Keefe gave the school. Under litigation as Georgia O'Keefe Museum and Foundation wants the paintings for themselves.
just a little Santa Fe connection... pk
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