Speed Art Museum history

1928 – The centenary of Kentucky portrait painter Matthew Harris Jouett is celebrated with a major exhibition of his portraits, many owned by prominent Louisvillians.

1933 – The museum is incorporated as a privately endowed institution and its board of governors was established.

1934 – The museum received its first major donation, a valuable collection of North American Indian artifacts given by Doctor Frederick Weygold.

1941 – Doctor Preston Pope Satterwhite makes a significant gift to the museum – his collection of 15th century and 16th century French and Italian Decorative Arts including tapestries and furniture.

1944 – Satterwhite donates the English Renaissance room, which was moved in its entirety from Devon, England.

1946 – Paul S. Harris becomes the first professional director of the museum.

Completed in 1954, it was the first of three additions to the original building.

1970 – New Art Collectors Group forms to assist museum to acquire contemporary art.

1973 – The North Wing of the museum opens, giving new space for a theatre, offices, indoor sculpture court, and library.

1977 – The Speed celebrates its 50th anniversary in 1977 with the acquisition of Rembrandt's Portrait of a Woman, one of the museum's most significant acquisitions.

1983 – The 1983 Wing opens, designed by Robert Geddes of Princeton.

1997 – The museum reopens.

2013 – The Speed staff relocates offsite to the downtown Louisville neighborhood of Nulu and opens Local Speed, a satellite space for exhibitions, family activities, programs and special events.