City: Shreveport, LA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (318) 865-4201

Address: 4747 Creswell Ave.

Description: In the 1920s, when Richard William Norton struck oil north of Shreveport in Rodessa, he knew his life would change dramatically. While opening northwest Louisiana’s oil reserves, his wife and son began amassing quite a collection of art, representing a variety of periods and media. Upon R. W. Norton’s death in 1940, the now-widowed Ms. Norton thought that an art foundation should be established in honor of her departed husband, who loved this region—and its people—dearly. With the assistance of her son and a small Board of Trustees, the R. W. Norton Art Trust was established. As the art collection of the family continued to grow, it was decided that a museum should be built to both house the collection and share it with the people of Shreveport and Bossier. Completed in 1966, the initial building represented one of the most contemporary architectural styles the area had yet seen, with open spaces and light used to grand effect. Fortunately, the initial plans also thought of expansions, since the family kept adding new pieces of art to their collection. The south wing opened in 1990, and the north wing was completed in 2003. Stretching from the Renaissance masters to European and American artists, the collection spans both time and schools of art. Of course the Western greats Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell are represented, but so are the 17th-century Dutch landscape artists Jacob van Ruisdael and Meyndert Hobbema, and the French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi, best known for designing a rather large work, The Statue of Liberty. Six tapestries, dating to the 16th century, are located throughout the museum, as are collections of porcelain, blown glass, and silver. The rare book collection adds yet another dimension, with more than 10,000 works, including a copy of John James Audubon’s double elephant folios of The Birds of America. Truly a wonderful, eclectic collection, making this place an incredible educational environment for developing a love for art. In other cities, a collection of this nature would require a significant admission fee. But because of the generosity of the Norton family, the museum remains free to the public and welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Special exhibits come to the Norton Art Gallery on a regular basis, giving locals yet another reason to visit. Also enjoy one of the greatest gardens in the South. Consisting of 40 acres of plants, statues, and water features, the grounds have become their own destination. In spring, thousands of azaleas burst into bloom, bringing both tourists with cameras and brides, who want their pictures taken in front of such a colorful, natural backdrop. But one will always find something in bloom: native iris, a variety of lilies, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans will be looking for you. And the numerous pine trees provide one with the sense of entering a magical forest; you may become so entranced you believe one of the outdoor sculptures actually speaks to you. Regular visitors would not be shocked; they probably have heard the voices, too. Free guided tours are available Tues through Fri for groups of 10 or more; call in advance. The museum is open from Tues to Fri, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sat and Sun from 1 to 5 p.m.