Tibbits Opera House & Branch County Library's "A History and Exploration of the Henry Clay Lewis Art Collection"

Tibbits Opera House along with the Branch County District Library is presenting "A History & Exploration of the Henry Clay Lewis Art Collection" on Friday, January 8th at 5:30 at the historic Tibbits Opera House Art Gallery! Holbrook Heritage Room archivist Brittany Gemmill will have a presentation that will include photographs, the original 1875 gallery catalogue, as well as Lewis paintings on display. A reception will take place following to answer questions and have a closer look at part of the Lewis Art Collection that is housed at Tibbits. Henry Clay Lewis was a businessman from Coldwater. In 1869, what is now the Coldwater Masonic Temple was built as an art gallery to house over 1,000 or Lewis' pieces, which was once considered the largest and best gallery west of New York City. When Lewis died, he willed his collection to the City of Coldwater but they were not interested in assuming ownership. The pieces were disbursed, and while some of the most expensive ones are housed in areas like the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., Tibbits and the Coldwater Branch of the Branch District Library were fortunate to get several pieces. A share of the collection at Tibbits in on permanent loan from the University of Michigan Art Collection. The event is free and open to the public. The Tibbits Art Gallery is located on the lower level of the theatre at 14 S. Hanchett Street in Coldwater, MI. For more information visit Tibbits.org, email info@tibbits.org, or call 517-278-6029 during business hours.