Allentown Art Museum to Move to 10th and Hamilton Streets

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Allentown Art Museum has just opened a new Tiffany windows exhibit and remodeled a gallery, but now it plans something bigger.

The museum will move to 10th and Hamilton streets. No date was given in a message today to members, and no total cost either. One reason given was a need for more space.

The museum is now at 31 N. Fifth St., near Allentown City Hall and the Lehigh County Courthouse.

It’s quite a museum for a city the size of Allentown (population about 125,000). It has a mix of Old Masters (including Rembrandt and Hals), decorative arts, American art, a Frank Lloyd Wright room and much more.

Here’s the museum’s statement:

Dear AAM member, I am thrilled to share with you some groundbreaking news about the Allentown Art Museum. Today, we are announcing our plan to relocate to a new, purpose-built museum facility at the intersection of 10th and Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown. This move marks a historic milestone in our mission to expand access to the arts and continue to serve as a cultural anchor for the Lehigh Valley. Key Highlights of the Project: Strategic Downtown Location: Situated at the intersection of 10th and Hamilton Street, the new Museum will connect Allentown’s commercial, entertainment, and residential areas, enhancing the city’s arts corridor and driving foot traffic to the museum and surrounding businesses .Enhanced Facilities: the new building will feature improved galleries and art storage to better protect and showcase our collection of 20,000+ objects, alongside expanded education spaces and state-of-the-art event spaces. Commitment to Free Admission: The relocation reinforces our dedication to free admission, ensuring the arts remain accessible to all for generations to come.Economic Impact: The project is expected to generate $55 million in construction spending, supporting over 500 jobs. Once open, it will generate $5.5 million in annual economic activity. Why Move?After careful consideration and extensive planning, we’ve concluded that a purpose-built facility is the most cost-effective and mission-aligned solution to meet our growing needs. While our current location, originally a church with sections dating back to the early 20th century, has served us well since the 1950s, its limitations in space, accessibility, and ability to meet modern museum standards now hinder our ability to fully support our thriving visitation, programming, and collections for decades to come. Next Steps:We are in the early stages of this journey, with many milestones ahead. Rest assured, we will approach this project deliberately and look forward to updating you throughout. We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to partnering with you as we embark on this transformative next chapter for the Allentown Art Museum and the Lehigh Valley.

Thank you for being a vital part of our community. Together, we are building a lasting legacy for future generations. With gratitude,Max WeintraubPresident & CEO