Celebrating 75 Years of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

On the banks of Flint’s Pond in Lincoln 75 years ago, a family home resembling a European castle began its transformation into a vital space for contemporary art in New England. This converted residence has since become a beloved 30-acre landscape steeped in diverse artworks and ecology. As deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum commemorates its milestone anniversary in 2025, this special place is celebrating the way it knows best: with art, nature, and community.

Cue the Celebration

Kicking off the celebrations in May, deCordova hosted the sold-out Party for the Sculpture Park. Guests glimpsed back in time to the museum’s opening when innovative modern art fueled its rapid rise to popularity. The unforgettable evening toasted decades of artists and supporters, reflecting the deep community ties deCordova has cultivated for 75 years.

“We were delighted to recognize Jared Bowen, GBH Executive Arts Editor and Host of The Culture Show, as our Honorary Chair,” says Sarah Montross, Museum Director and Chief Curator. “He spoke on the importance our museum has played over its 75-year history in nurturing the careers of visionary artists such as María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Jeffrey Gibson, and so many others whose work we’ve exhibited.”

The event wasn’t just a party; it was a tribute to deCordova’s legacy of opening the door to contemporary art through exhibition and education. Since 1950—when the museum first spotlighted Pop Art and Boston’s post-war expressionist movement—it has consistently also served as a launchpad for local voices with comprehensive arts instructional programs to educate future generations of artists.

Back to the Foundations

It all began thanks to Julian (1851–1945) and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (née Dana, 1846–1922) de Cordova, two world-travelers who were passionate about collecting art. After the deaths of Lizzie and their son Dana, Julian gifted his estate to the Town of Lincoln with the stipulation that it would become a public art museum when he passed. Appraisers deemed Julian and Lizzie’s collection not of substantial interest or value, so it was eventually sold to fund the groundwork of today’s museum.

That foundation was shaped by deCordova’s establishing committee who saw a near absence of exhibitions of modern art in the Boston area. They took the innovative step to launch a regional contemporary art museum that, when it opened, was the only museum to focus its exhibitions and collecting activities on living New England artists, while adopting a broad educational program in the visual arts.

“We quickly established a reputation for supporting ground-breaking artworks with a robust schedule of exhibitions and innovative arts education programs,” says Montross. “That dedication continues today with our new exhibits, our renowned outdoor sculptures, and educational programs like The Hive Summer Camp and our recently renewed partnership with The Lincoln Nursery School.”

A New Trustees Chapter

Since deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum officially integrated with The Trustees in July of 2019, the museum’s mission of celebrating contemporary art and diverse voices has endured. Exhibitions and original commissions continue to span the Sculpture Park’s front lawn and beyond, like Nature Sanctuary, which opened in June. Site-inspired commissions and loans by six women artists—Venetia Dale, Kapwani Kiwanga, Joiri Minaya, Zohra Opoku, Kathy Ruttenberg, and Evelyn Rydz—are reimagining the relationship between art, nature, and home.

“Nature Sanctuary links deCordova’s ecological resources, its past as a family home, and its present as part of a land conservation organization,” says Montross. “Together the artworks echo our mission to inspire through art that engages with the land, history, and community.”

This fusion of art and nature opens a gateway to connect audiences—both new and returning—with The Trustees as a larger organization. Those who might not otherwise seek out land conservation sites are drawn into a dialogue with nature by thought-provoking artworks embedded in the Sculpture Park’s bucolic landscape. These encounters stir curiosity and emotion, initiating meaningful engagement with the land, its stories, and the Trustees mission behind its protection.

Looking to the Future

As it celebrates 75 years, deCordova isn’t only looking back; it’s looking forward. New outdoor sculptures continue to rotate through the Park, including a commission debuting in 2026 by acclaimed Boston-based mural artist Silvia López Chavez. Inspired by deCordova’s natural features, her artwork will be a wondrous portal into the landscape for the wider Trustees community; and a first-of-its-kind for Chavez.

“Many of us have encountered Silvia’s vibrant and community-focused murals throughout Boston and beyond,” says Montross. “She is a vital artist to Boston’s arts ecosystem, and we are thrilled to share her bold and stunning artistry here at deCordova.”

Planning is also underway to implement deCordova’s next chapter, which will elevate its role as a portal to art and nature. Rejuvenating upgrades will be made to the museum’s galleries and indoor spaces for education and events. Portions of deCordova’s outdoor landscape will be also refreshed with plantings, art, and improvements for visitor experience.

With events honoring its history, new exhibits connecting visitors to nature, and a strong vision for the future, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is reaffirming its place as a cultural cornerstone. This special place is a living canvas where art, nature, and people meet, and where the next 75 years promise to be just as innovative and inspiring as the last.