Piedmont in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Piedmont Art Gallery
World Class Art Museum in the Park
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014
1. Piedmont Art Gallery Marker
In May 1907, patrons of the arts from around the Bay Area descended on Piedmont Park for the opening of the Piedmont Art Gallery. On display were 375 oil, pastel and watercolor paintings in four separate galleries.
Under the guidance of curator Richard Partington, the emerging California impressionists were well represented. William Keith’s massive painting “The California Alps” was located in the main gallery. Works by Xavier Martinez, R.D. Yelland, Thaddeus Welch, James Gamble and Charles Rollo Peters were also included.
Upon the death of Frank Havens in 1918, the gallery was closed and the paintings sold. Many were purchased for the M.H. deYoung Museum, just being built in San Francisco.
For a short while the gallery was turned into classrooms as the first students at Piedmont High School waited for their school to be completed in 1921. Eventually, the old gallery was torn down and replaced by the current tennis courts.
”I admit that I went to the Piedmont Art Gallery with an appreciable amount of well natured skepticism; I doubted the ability of one man, unaided as far as I knew, to collect enough art and the kind of art that would hold the attention of both the public and connoisseurs... The exhibit seen in Piedmont is undoubtedly the best permanent display
this page online
Erected by Piedmont Beautification Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1907.
Location. 37° 49.406′ N, 122° 13.842′ W. Marker is in Piedmont, California, in Alameda County. Marker is on Highland Avenue. This marker is in Piedmont Park near the tennis courts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 Highland Avenue, Oakland CA 94611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Japanese Teahouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Piedmont Springs Clubhouse & Cafe (within shouting distance of this marker); Piedmont Springs Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cascade (about 600 feet away); Honor Roll (about 600 feet away); Piedmont Park History Trail (about 600 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away); Faux Bois Benches (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piedmont.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014
2. Piedmont Art Gallery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
