By John Cowgill
The Glenstone Museum is different than the average museum.
Reservoir at the pavilion, Glenstone Museum (Photo provided by John Cowgill)
Artwork
When visitors pass through the gates, they drive through a forest to the parking spaces. The Arrival Hall is surrounded by the landscape. Visitors realize that this is the museum, walking along paths across a meadow. Along the way, one can see outdoor art, including a green dinosaur head. The path goes to the pavilions.
From sculptures to paintings to photography, works of various artists are on display inside the pavilions. Outside, the pavilions are surrounded by a man-made marsh. Visitors have been known to marvel if the place is actually a museum!
On the grounds, there is also a gallery where more art is on display, some of it graffiti. The architecture of the pavilion and the gallery is art in and of themselves.
The creek at the woodland trail, Glenstone Museum (Photo provided by John Cowgill)
Be sure to walk the Woodland Trail through the woods. Part of the trail follows a creek, and there are two places to cross over the creek. Along the trail are sculptures, and the trail returns to the Arrival Hall.
Admission and parking are free. Most of the walkways are wheelchair accessible, although some are not paved. The Glenstone Museum is located at 12100 Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland. It is open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. year-round. Visit their website for more information.
John Cowgill (johnbcowgill1@gmail.com) loves to visit historic places to include lesser known sites. He loves taking road trips, and he loves railroads. You can also follow him on Facebook at ‘John Cowgill: Photographic Journeys’ and John Cowgill: DC Railroad Examiner. You can also check out ‘John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad’ at johncowgillstoriesoftherailroad.com.
