Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Burned 1845

Requested by Anon.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is the oldest museum and art school in the United States. It was founded in 1805 by painter and scientist Charles Willson Peale, sculptor William Rush and other Philadelphia artists and business leaders. Its original Neo-classical building, designed by John Dorsey, was completed in 1806 and opened to the public as a museum in 1807. The building was used for exhibitions and classes until it burned in 1848 and had to be replaced. Women were first admitted to study in 1844. In 1871, construction was started on the current building designed be Frank Furness and George Hewitt to hold the Academy’s expanding collection of works. The school and museum still operate in this building today. I was excited when this was submitted