Founders Day

Contact: Beth Manwaring 607.974.4254 manwaringb@rockwellmuseum.org

October 28, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOUNDERS DAY Celebrated on November 8 - Rockwell Museum of Western Art

CORNING, NY - On Sunday, November 8, the Museum will host Founders Day in celebration of the birthday of the Museum's late founding collector, Robert "Bob" F. Rockwell. A complete reinstallation of the Remington & Russell Lodge will be on view, comprising many of Bob's favorites. The Museum is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and more information can be found at www.rockwellmuseum.org.

A longtime collector of artworks celebrating the Old West, Mr. Rockwell donated a large portion of his collection to the Museum that would bear his name. The Rockwell Museum of Western Art opened in 1976 and has become known nationwide as home to one of the country's finest collections of Western and Native American art.

Facts about Robert F. Rockwell, Jr.

• Born Nov. 8, 1922 in Bradford, PA.

• Grew up on his family's cattle ranch near Gunnison, Colo., where he developed his love of Western lore and Western art.

• Graduated from Stanford University in early 1930s.

• Helped his grandfather, Lemuel Wilson Rockwell, run the family's group of department stores, including one in Corning, N.Y.

• Met and married Hertha Godley, who worked in the store's accounting department, in 1941.

• Enlisted in the United States Navy's Construction Battalion (Seebees) in 1942; served 3 ½ years in North Africa.

• After returning to Corning following WWII, began a family: daughter Sandra and son Robert F. (Bobby) Rockwell III.

• Served as president of the Corning Rotary Club in 1949.

• In the 1960s, helped to establish the National Cowboy Artists Hall of Fame and fueled the group's initial exhibits with his personal art collection.

• Collaborated with Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) on a community project to build a Western Art Museum to house much of his collection.

"The Rockwell Museum of Western Art community gratefully acknowledges the long and dedicated life Bob lived. Our community is deeply richer because of his commitment, dedication and generosity. Through his love for collecting and love for the "Old West," Bob has left his lasting legacy through the artwork in which he and his wife Hertha collected and donated to the community over 30 years ago. Along with his collection of fine Western art and Frederick Carder Steuben glass, Bob also has left us with fond memories of his famous and familiar storiesThe Museum always will remain forever grateful for the profound contributions the Rockwell family has made to our community," says Kristin A. Swain, Executive Director at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.

About the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in the center of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York Sate and in the heart of Corning's Gaffer District. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week; hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Trading Post at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art offers an amazing array of Western and Native American related products. You'll find jewelry, pottery, weavings, books, reproductions, kitchen items and more. The Trading Post boasts the best collection of Native American handmade silver and turquoise jewelry anywhere. Membership to the Museum includes yearlong free admission. For more information, please visit us online at www.rockwellmuseum.org.

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