Cornell Art Museum

History of Cornell Art Museum

The Cornell Art Museum is housed in the restored 1913 Delray Elementary School building on the Old School Square campus. The Cornell Art Museum was dedicated in 1990 and named in honor of Delray Beach residents Harriet W. and George D. Cornell. The architecture, formally known as “Masonry Vernacular,” makes the building unique in the downtown area. This style was used for several smaller buildings in the Old School Square Historic Arts District. During the restoration process, the original atrium and classrooms, which are now exhibition spaces, were restored to preserve the rare Dade County Pine floors, tall windows, and open space. The only significant modification to the interior was to open the atrium up to the second floor, allowing for natural light to stream in and provide a more spacious feel.

Thanks to a patron of the arts, Margaret Blume, the Museum completed a $1 million interior renovation in November 2017.