Headley-Whitney Museum of Art

About this activity

Get ready to be inspired and feel creative because we're off to the fascinating Headley-Whitney Museum of Art in Lexington!

The Headley-Whitney Museum of Art was founded back in 1968 by jewelry designer George Headley alongside his wife, Barbara Whitney and today not only is home to three permanent collections (including some that feature the work of George Headley himself) but you can also enjoy rotating exhibits that focus on particular artists or art genres meaning you can always visit multiple times and see something new!

The three permanent collections at the Headley-Whitney Museum of Art are "Works by George Headley" where you can marvel at some of the finest jewlery and gemstone work.

Another collection is "Decorative Arts Collection" with stunning sculptures, and finally you can enjoy "Whitney Doll Houses".

It's here you can learn all about the Whitney's history as a prominent American family and their longstanding ties to the arts and the thoroughbred industry.

Within the collection kids will love to see the Whitney Doll houses that are part of a set of 4 incredibly crafted dollhouses. Look closely - can you tell that they are actually 1:1 replicas of the actual buildings that make up the Whitney's Kentucky homestead? You might just spot Maple Hill, the Poolhouse, the Guest house and the Poolhouse!

The dollhouses were completed ovr a ten-year period from 1967-1977, and most notably the dollhouses memorialize Princess Marageet's visit to the farm during the Kentucky derby celebration in 1974!

And those are just the collections!

Don't forget at the Headley-Whitney Museum of Art are the rotating exhibits that showcase some incredible artists and styles of art (kids, did you know that art is so much more than just paint?)

A creative and great visit during any visit to Lexington!