- McNay Art Museum
San Antonio has many tourist attractions. Aside from the Riverwalk and the Alamo and the Missions one of the places to see the best the city has to offer is the McNay Art Museum. Located in Terrell Hills, minutes from downtown, this was the first modern art museum in Texas. It opened in 1954 and the history and architecture of the original home is as much of an attraction as the collection it houses.
- Interior Gallery
The home of Marion Koogler McNay was built in 1927. The original house consisted of 24 rooms and was designed in the tradition of Spanish-Colonial Revival architecture. Upon her death in 1950 she donated her estate of 23 acres, main house, art collection and endowment to establish her museum.
- Original Museum and Main House Entrance
- Coffered Ceiling Detail
- Interior Gallery
The outside grounds and courtyard are just as impressive as the interior of the main house. Many bridal portraits are staged on the beautiful lawns against the main house as the backdrop. The museum also is a coveted venue for upscale receptions and events.
- Courtyard View
- Peacock Mosaic
Mrs. McNay was fond of peacocks, evident in the peacock motif throughout the courtyard gardens. This tile mosaic is a beautiful example. Peacocks roam the lawn and grounds today as they did for Mrs. McNay.
- Courtyard Staircase
- Courtyard Staircase Close Up
- McNay Courtyard
- Courtyard Fountain
- Courtyard View from Terrace
- Exterior Detail
- McNay Column
- McNay Gate
Many of the details such as the custom tile and stencil work were designed by Marion McNay. Note the blue peacock motif is repeated in the stencil work below.
- McNay Stencil
- McNay Tile
In the spring of 2009 the museum re-opened after a major restoration and expansion.
- Addition Exterior
- Double View of Addition
Photos courtesy of envirokas, Restoration Associates, Ltd., Chambers Architects, WikiMedia Commons, giamarie at flickr, Laura C.,Paige D., Kristin F. and Susan J. at yelp.com, and Guido Brothers Contruction Company. Addition photos courtesy of The McNay Art Museum, re-published by Interior Design magazine.
