The Rawleigh Collection

During the first quarter of the 20th century, W.T. Rawleigh founded an international corporation and amassed a personal fortune. Like other men of his era, he regarded his bounty as a charge to share with the community. To that end he used his fortune to beautify Freeport. The Rawleigh collection formed the core of what is now the Freeport Art Museum.

Rawleigh's collection of pottery from the Pueblo cultures of the Southwest is especially fine. Perhaps the central feature of the collection is the European paintings, principally 19th century academic masters, but including an anonymous 17th century portrait. Two unusual aspects of these holdings are a unique and extensive collection of pietra dura, stone mosaic paintings of the early 20th century, and a singularly interesting series of paintings of the natives of Madagascar. Major Asian items in the collection include a 19th century palace screen and a set of Hindu kalamkari (hand painted temple banners) from India. The major sculptures are 19th century marbles and bronzes from Italy, France and Belgium, and a 17th century Spanish polychromed wood statue of St. Anthony of Padua.

Many other collectors have broadened and deepened the scope of the museum's holdings, attracted by this nucleus and by the reputation, location and public service of the Freeport Art Museum. Today the collection of the Freeport Art Museum bears testimony to the original foundation created by W.T. Rawleigh.