Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers an intriguing blend of art, history, and nature, making it a popular destination in Jacksonville Beach.

The museum was built on the former homesite of founders Ninah and Arthur Cummer and opened its doors to the public in 1961. The Cummer family, who hailed from Cadillac, Michigan, were in the lumber business and moved to the Jacksonville area in 1896. While in Florida, the family grew the company and became pillars of society. 

But the hero, or in this case heroine, of our story, is Ninah May Holden Cummer. She applied her studies of the arts and languages at the University of Michigan to her community-based philanthropy. 

She began to amass American art from masters like Winslow Homer, George Inness, James McNeil Whistler, and Thomas Sulley. Ninah also collected memorabilia from her vast travels, such as sixteenth-century polyptychs, Old Master portraits, Russian icons, and lapis lazuli snuff boxes.

Ninah started the first Garden Club and many city parks in Jacksonville, while at home, she created lavish gardens. Today, the Cummer Gardens attract visitors like flowers do bees.

When Ninah passed away in 1958, she bequeathed her home, art, and gardens to the City of Jacksonville. Known today as the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Ninah's generosity continues to shine. 

For these reasons, adding a visit to the Cummer Museum will enhance your vacation with art, gardens, and education.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: Fun Facts & Cool Features 

When visiting the Cummer Museum, allow plenty of time to explore the vast collection. Art in the Permanent Collection includes pieces from the Baroque era, like Peter Paul Rubens' The Lamentation (c. 1605) and Theodoor Rombouts' The Concert (c. 1620.) But the art includes modern works, making the Cummer Museum appealing to all art enthusiasts.

The Wark Collection of Early Meissen Porcelain was donated in 1965 and is one of the world's three finest of its type. The collection encompasses more than 700 works produced by the Royal Saxon Porcelain Manufacture from 1708 to 1780.

While the museum houses distinct sculptures, the gardens feature a dazzling array of statues and ornaments. William R. Mercer, Jr. (1862–1939) crafted the most significant pieces, specializing in cast-concrete decorative ornaments. The Cummers purchased a pair of Byzantine-style bird baths with turtles for the English Garden and cast-stone pedestal urns and roundel for the Italian Garden. 

Speaking of gardens, those at the Cummer Museum are revered worldwide for their beauty, pedigree, and diverse vegetation. Ninah and sister-in-law Clara created the Olmstead, the English, and the Italian Gardens and hired some of the world's leading landscape artists to bring their vision to life. With the backdrop of the St. Johns River, they are rich in color, light, and depth.  

The facility's location makes it easy to make a day of visiting Jacksonville's top museums. The Cummer Museum is near the MOSH (Museum of Science and History) and MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), while delicious fare at places like Restaurant Orsay caps off the end of a perfect day.   

So far, we've only scratched the surface of what is available at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Visit and discover why it is one of the more popular attractions in Jacksonville Beach. 

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens from Jacksonville: 

• Head south on I-95 S from the center of Jacksonville. 
• Take exit 352D toward Forest St. 
• Merge onto Forest St. and continue straight. 
• Turn right onto Riverside Ave. 
• Continue on Riverside Ave for 1.5 miles. 
• Turn left onto Post St. 
• Take the first right onto Riverside Park Pl. 
• Address: 829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Cost

Here are the costs associated with visiting Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: 

• Adults: $20 
• Seniors (age 65+): $15 
• Students (6-17): $15 
• Children (5 and under): Free 

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.