This September, the Whistler House Museum of Art will be celebrating its 200th anniversary of the historic edifice and birthplace of the world-renowned American artist James McNeill Whistler. To commemorate this significant milestone, an activity filled evening of celebration will take place on Saturday, September 6th, beginning with cocktails at 5:00 pm in the Historic House Museum of Art. In addition, the Parker Gallery will feature the artists of the Lowell Art Association, Inc. in an exhibition entitled Whistler House Museum of Art 200th Anniversary Exhibition. The gala will continue at the Hellenic Cultural Center with dinner, program, and dancing with music by the Felix Brown Band. In addition, the Krystal Ballroom Dancers, will feature performance from the 1800’s to the present day.

Constructed circa 1825, the house stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers that started the American Industrial Revolution. This Federal Colonial home has been shaped by a long and rich history, serving as the residence of many influential figures over time. Its occupants have ranged from groundbreaking industrialists, prominent engineers, historians, and socialites to boarding house owners, mill girls, caretakers, and possibly enslaved individuals connected to the Underground Railroad. The house has also hosted numerous distinguished guests, including U.S. ambassadors, governors, senators, and statesmen, as well as bestselling authors, artists, leading academics, entertainers, and prominent museum professionals.

It was significantly the birthplace of the famous American artist, James McNeill Whistler, who painted the iconic Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1: commonly referred to as Whistler’s Mother. He profoundly influenced the art world and broader cultural landscape of his time. He was a passionate advocate for the idea that art should exist for its own sake, independent of functional purpose. His influence is evident in the Aestheticism movement, which emphasized the pursuit of beauty and sensory pleasure as a primary purpose. Whistler’s pivotal ideas also appeared within Tonalism, a movement characterized by its deliberate use of color and atmospheric composition.

In addition to its legacy of notable and highly influential individuals, the Whistler House Museum of Art is the founding site of the Lowell Art Association. Established in 1878 by a group of accomplished artists and patrons, the Lowell Art Association is one of the oldest incorporated art associations in the United States. The founding members include prominent Lowell residents Thomas Bailey Lawson, Freeman Shedd, Helen Whittier, and Rev. Horatio Wood. The Lowell Art Association was originally formed to “advance the study and progress of art in the city where it was formed.”

Following the suggestion of Phillip Marden, Managing Editor for the Lowell Courier-Citizen (est. 1861), the Lowell Art Association decided to purchase the historic Whistler House, which operated as a boarding home at the time. After a public campaign, residents of the City of Lowell raised $1,000, the equivalent of over $35,000 today. This saved the historic home from demolition and allowed restoration and rehabilitation of the historic building in 1907. In December of 1908, the Whistler House Museum of Art opened its doors as the new home of the Lowell Art Association with guest speaker Curtis Guild Jr., Governor of Massachusetts. The

Lowell Sun described the opening gala as “regenerating the birthplace of James Abbott McNeill Whistler” and treating guests to “perhaps the finest art exhibit ever seen in Lowell.”

For over 200 years, the Historic House has stood as a strong landmark of innovation, creativity, and the fusion of historic and contemporary art. The Whistler House Museum of Art continues to serve the community through programs such as the Boston Globe acclaimed Multicultural Youth Summer Art Program. This award-winning program has received wide recognition, serving all socio-economic sectors of the community and is celebrated as one of the best youth summer art programs in Massachusetts. For the past twelve years the program has succeeded in culturally enriching young students in the community to appreciate art and has changed young student’s lives. With proceeds from this upcoming celebration, the museum will be able to ensure continued high quality art programs for young and old alike.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating this landmark occasion and accomplishment,” says Sara Bogosian, President and Executive Director. For over 200 years this beautiful historically restored edifice, has evolved and flourished fostering creativity and innovation, continuing to create a unique artistic environment. We are proud that the Whistler House Museum of Art remains the beacon of art and culture throughout the community, region, and the world.

Exhibition and Gala:

September 6th, 2025

5:00 p.m. Cocktail and Whistler Exhibition

6:30 p.m. Dinner & Program

8:00 p.m. Dancing

The Whistler House Museum of Art & Hellenic Cultural Center

Admission: $200.00 per person

For more information contact the Whistler House Museum of Art at

978-452-7641 or visit our website at whistlerhouse.org to reply electronically.

RSVP by Tuesday, August 12th, 2025