History
1917
April
When the Allen Memorial Art Building opened in 1917 it brought together under one roof the staff, collections and art classes for the first time. Oberlin’s vibrant art community, led by the dynamic Adelia Field Johnston since her arrival in 1870, had a building as beautiful as the subject they loved. Along with galleries for the museum collection there were proper classrooms, faculty offices and a new art library filled with volumes culled from Spear and various departmental and society collections across campus. The library was originally in what is now the East Gallery, the shelves now used for object display.
1937
August
Interest in art continued to grow; 20 years later, in 1937, the museum, library and art department had outgrown the Allen building and were moving into an addition. The Ward Building (1937), doubled the art department's classroom and office space, and gave the museum much needed exhibition and office space. The art library was moved to the second floor and the East Gallery created. The building was renamed the Allen Memorial Art Museum since the collection now filled the space.
1976
June
The art collection, classes, and library continued to expand, and in 1976 moved into the current Venturi Art Building. The architects, Venturi and Brown, cleverly created the museum's contemporary gallery as well as classroom and office space for the art dept., with the entire top floor given to the library. The vacated space is now the museum's current Ripin Gallery.