The Rodin Museum has had a long history of friends and supporters. Founded in 1990 under the direction of Robert Montgomery Scott, the Friends of the Rodin Museum was first chaired by Helen and Ralph Carabasi. Three years later, the Carabasis were succeeded by Regina (Jean) Haley and Connie Boylan. Jean remained in office as Chair of the Friends until 2000. The Friends of the Rodin Museum garnered interest and support through the careful planning of events and volunteer activities to clean and plant the gardens. They were responsible for raising money to fund the restoration of The Thinker, as well as the air conditioning of the Museum. Both the former Friends of Rodin and the current Rodin Museum Committee have given thoughtful attention to this historic site on the Parkway—a central artery to culture in Philadelphia.
The Rodin Museum and its vast collection of Rodin sculpture was left to the City of Philadelphia by Jules Mastbaum. The building was designed by Paul Cret and is complemented by the elegant gardens designed by Jacques Gréber. The Museum and its collection are administered by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the grounds are administered by the Fairmount Park Commission. The Rodin Museum Committee raises money to pay for the maintenance of the gardens through annual donations. The committee is also pursuing major gifts, both to help fund capital improvements to the gardens and the building and to build an endowment.
Barbara B. Aronson, Chair
Rodin Museum Committee
For more information, please contact the Rodin Museum at (215) 568-6026.
