YONKERS, NY.- Hudson River Museum is thrilled to announce that its long-awaited West Wing capital improvement project will break ground in November 2020. The project, made possible by previously-allocated funding from Westchester County, the City of Yonkers, and New York State, includes much-needed improvements including, for the first time, dedicated special exhibition galleries with exhilarating views, a sculpture court, a 100 tiered-seat auditorium, necessary art storage space, and a climate control system, all of which will allow the Museum to organize and present cutting-edge exhibitions. The project will also allow the Museum to display and interpret far more of its permanent collection while ensuring proper storage and safekeeping of the Museum’s repository of cultural heritage.

Designed by Archimuse, the West Wing project expands the Museum from approximately 40,000 to 52,000 square feet while seamlessly integrating the enhancements with the existing Museum campus, including its center Courtyard and the view of the Hudson River and Palisades. The West Wing is the culmination of a multi-phased Master Plan begun in 2002, which included the creation of a new education center and a 400-seat outdoor amphitheater. Over the years, additional capital improvements were made to the Museum’s entrance and lobby and critically needed updates were made to exhibition galleries and a new special events space.

The capital project, which will promote area job growth during construction, will enable the Museum to bring a world-class museum experience to all in Westchester and the metropolitan area. The Museum is grateful to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the City of Yonkers, and New York State for their combined $12.28M of support and for their successful efforts at enabling this funding to serve the universe of Museum visitors. GTL Construction has been selected as the vendor to complete the first phase of the West Wing project, following a comprehensive public bid process administered by the City of Yonkers.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer stated, “Cultural appreciation is a keystone of our County and its residents. This project will provide one of Westchester’s most important cultural institutions the foundation it needs to continue serving our communities with its nationally renowned programs and exhibitions. Helping to fund this project, without having to allocate any new funds, is a great investment in the future of Westchester County as a cultural destination.”

“This is a long-term investment in our diverse Westchester community. This project will provide one of the County’s most important cultural institutions the foundation it needs to continue serving residents well into the 21st century,” added Benjamin Boykin II, Chairman, Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “We are proud that for many residents in Westchester and the New York area, a trip to the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers is their first museum experience. This project will ensure that the Museum remains a prestigious, nationally recognized institution, able to expand its offerings to the public, and ready to inspire future generations in our City and beyond."

Tom D’Auria, HRM Board of Trustees Chair, expressed, “The Hudson River Museum is proud to move forward toward the completion of this long-planned project, a key component of the institution’s master plan. This capital project will enable us to bring a premier museum experience to all in Westchester and the Metropolitan area.”




Masha Turchinsky, HRM Director and CEO, stated, “These exciting capital enhancements will allow the Hudson River Museum to welcome our community, embrace new ideas, and protect the collections that we can all learn from together. More than just additional space, this expansion project will allow the HRM to rethink how we present and share art and offer something new and inspiring every time you visit.”

Special Exhibition Galleries and Sculpture Court
The Special Exhibitions Galleries, a space of 3,350 square feet, is a fifteen-foot tall specialized facility designed to display world-class art and adhere to rigorous industry conservation standards. It will graciously accommodate the widest range of changing exhibitions and lender requirements, and allow for an exciting variety of installation, performance, multimedia, and large-scale art. It will simultaneously allow the Museum to exhibit far more of its own collections on a permanent basis. The Museum is proud to announce that the new galleries will include an inviting space for displays that will feature local and emerging artists, including work by artists-in-residence, community collaborations, and partnerships with schools.

In the center of the Special Exhibitions Gallery is a cantilevered glass overlook, which provides a dramatic three-sided panoramic view of the Hudson River and the majestic Palisades, inviting spaces for relaxation and contemplation. It is the West Wing’s scenic gesture and ultimate tribute to the natural beauty that surrounds it.

The West Wing’s interior Sculpture Court will provide dedicated space, filled with natural light, in which to experience significant works from the permanent collection with a clear view to the Museum’s Courtyard, Glenview, and the Hudson River. Many of these sculptures have rarely been on view during the past several decades due to space constraints.

Auditorium and River Terrace
The West Wing will include a tiered 100-seat, state-of-the-art Auditorium, responding to the natural cascading grade. The universally accessible Auditorium will allow the Museum to present multimedia presentations and performances, film and video projection, dance, lectures, and panel discussions.

The existing outdoor patio adjoining the Auditorium will be transformed into the River Terrace. The Terrace will be upgraded with a new concrete slab and sleek glass parapet, connecting the Auditorium with the Hudson Room, the Museum’s special events space overlooking the River.

Art Storage
The new 3,000 square-foot art storage will meet stringent requirements imposed by lender organizations and the American Alliance of Museums to ensure safe housing and display of artwork and conform with current professional standards for collections management and storage.

Subsequent planned phases include the following improvements:

Glenview Historic House
The exterior of Glenview, the Museum’s beautiful and important 1877 riverfront home on the National Register of Historic Places and fashioned in an eclectic Late Victorian style, will receive much-needed conservation to its stone and woodwork, roof, and windows. Designed by Charles W. Clinton, the noteworthy architect of New York’s Park Avenue Armory building, Glenview’s period rooms are furnished with some of the finest Victorian art and decorative arts in harmony with the high style architecture of the building.

Museum Roof Repair
The Museum’s existing 1969 building, its galleries and planetarium, urgently need a new roof. A technologically advanced roof surface will be installed on the entire 20,000 square foot existing Museum building roof and high-performance insulation will increase energy efficiency.