A Landmark Repurposed: From Post Office to Art Museum

Date and Time

Fri, Dec 19, 2025 - Sat, Aug 1, 2026

Location

Details

This exhibition celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Frist Art Museum and honors its historical building as an architectural gem we are privileged to steward. A Landmark Repurposed includes architectural drawings, historical images, news clippings, and details about the former US post office and its transformation into the Frist Art Museum.

Constructed in 1933–34 under the direction of local architectural firm Marr & Holman, the building was financed by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Construction. Following guidelines from the Office of the Supervising Architect, 919 Broadway displays the two most distinctive architectural styles of the period: “starved” or “stripped” classicism and art deco. The building began its second life as the Frist Center for the Visual Arts on April 8, 2001. Since then, artworks from collections around the world have been shown in our galleries, and countless community members and visitors have been inspired through art to look at the world in new ways.

Previously presented for our twentieth anniversary, this updated exhibition highlights recent initiatives focused on the primary art object in our care: our historic building. Specific efficiency improvements have focused on structural components and environmental upgrades.

Price: Gallery Admission