Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum

Founded in 1950, the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum (formerly the Women’s Committee) is a group of dedicated volunteers working to help ensure the vitality of the nation’s oldest continuously-operating public art museum for generations to come.

The Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum organizes two time-honored annual fundraising events, Festival of Trees & Traditions and Fine Art & Flowers, which directly support the museum’s mission to preserve and present the inspiring works of art held in its collections. Both endeavors offer Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum members opportunity to volunteer their time and talents to support, plan, and staff these critical cultural and artistic events.

Day Art Tours

Organized by the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum, these sell-out bus trips showcase the top museums and cultural institutions in the Northeast.

Click here for the Fall 2023 Day Art Tours brochure.

September 12, 2023 | Hudson, NY & Catskill, NY / Olana + The Thomas Cole National Historic Site
October 17 | New York, NY / Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 15 | Boston, MA / Museum of Fine Arts Boston cancelled
December 6 | Staatsburg, NY & Rhinebeck, NY / Mills Mansion + The Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn

Membership

Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum membership is open to all current members of the Wadsworth Atheneum. The membership fee is $50.

As a member of the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum, you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Monthly meetings—held on the second Wednesday from September through May—featuring Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum updates as well as special programs and museum events updates from Wadsworth Atheneum staff
  • Discussions with museum staff and community representatives on a variety of arts-related topics
  • Plentiful, varied opportunities to volunteer

To learn more about participating in the Friends of the Wadsworth Atheneum download the Prospective Member Checklist and Application.

Contact the Membership Office at (860) 838-4171 or email membership@thewadsworth.org with any questions.