Cindy Lewis, shipping manager, and Matt Presti, president, stand at the University of Science and Philosophy in downtown Waynesboro on Wednesday, July 10th, 2019.
-MICHELLE L. MITCHELL/THE NEWS VIRGINIAN
The Russell Museum, featuring the works of Walter Russell, is now open in downtown Waynesboro.
The museum houses dozens of paintings, sculptures, sketches and other works by Russell, an American artist, architect, author, composer and philosopher of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection occupies space in the three-floor, 32,500-square-foot building at 518 W. Main St., the former site of G&W Motorwerkes Ltd., a Porsche dealership that moved to Staunton.
The Russell Museum is connected to the University of Science and Philosophy, founded by Russell and his wife, Lao, in 1948. The curriculum teaches the science of man, mind and character development as a means of “unfolding” one’s innate potential.
For most of its history, the university — which does not offer accredited coursework — and Russell’s art were located at Swannanoa Palace in Afton, until the institution’s lease ended 20 years ago. The art had been kept in storage in Crimora and the university functioned through its online curriculum.
Russell, born in Boston in 1871, became renowned as portraitist at the turn of the 20th century. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt commissioned Russell to sculpt “The Four Freedoms,” based on FDR’s 1941 speech in which he stated everyone in the world desired the freedom of speech, the freedom to worship God in their own way, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
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-MICHELLE L. MITCHELL/THE NEWS VIRGINIAN
The Russell Museum, featuring the works of Walter Russell, is now open in downtown Waynesboro.
The museum houses dozens of paintings, sculptures, sketches and other works by Russell, an American artist, architect, author, composer and philosopher of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The collection occupies space in the three-floor, 32,500-square-foot building at 518 W. Main St., the former site of G&W Motorwerkes Ltd., a Porsche dealership that moved to Staunton.
The Russell Museum is connected to the University of Science and Philosophy, founded by Russell and his wife, Lao, in 1948. The curriculum teaches the science of man, mind and character development as a means of “unfolding” one’s innate potential.
For most of its history, the university — which does not offer accredited coursework — and Russell’s art were located at Swannanoa Palace in Afton, until the institution’s lease ended 20 years ago. The art had been kept in storage in Crimora and the university functioned through its online curriculum.
Russell, born in Boston in 1871, became renowned as portraitist at the turn of the 20th century. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt commissioned Russell to sculpt “The Four Freedoms,” based on FDR’s 1941 speech in which he stated everyone in the world desired the freedom of speech, the freedom to worship God in their own way, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
Read More
