Glencairn Museum features tour of Easter art in its collections

Glencairn Museum invites visitors to experience the Easter story through medieval works of art in its collection as well as the 20th century pieces that were part of the Pitcairn family’s own private celebrations at their castle-like Bryn Athyn home.

The one-hour guided “Easter Art at Glencairn” tour features the three-dimensional Easter scenes created in the 1920s by artist Winfred Hyatt for the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn family—works of art central to the family’s celebration that have not been seen by the public for many years.

“Hyatt, the principal stained-glass artist and designer for Bryn Athyn Cathedral and Glencairn, modeled the figures, which were then cast in plaster, painted and clothed,” says Ed Gyllenhaal, the Museum’s curator. “The three scenes represent the Last Supper, the visit of the two Marys to the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday, and the resurrected Christ appearing to seven of his disciples by the Sea of Galilee.”

The Easter story is also illustrated through medieval works of art in stained glass, sculpture and painting in Glencairn’s collection. Key episodes from the biblical narrative highlighted on this tour include the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the Ascension of Christ into heaven.

Guides also describe how Easter was celebrated by the Pitcairn family at Glencairn.

This special tour, which runs through Saturday, March 26, is available weekends at 3pm and by appointment only Tuesdays through Fridays. Reservations for all tours are strongly recommended.

No tours are available on Sunday, March 20, when Glencairn hosts Elizabeth Pitcairn in concert at 3pm, or on Mondays when the Museum is closed to visitors.

To book a tour: 267.502.2990 or tours@glencairnmuseum.org. Because the tower is excluded from use while the elevator undergoes renovations, this tour requires visitors to walk four flights of stairs, so please plan accordingly. Admission for the “Easter Art at Glencairn” tour is $10, $8 for 65+ and students with ID, half price for Basic members and free for Gold and Patron members and children 3 years and under.

Glencairn Museum, 1001 Cathedral Road, is part of the Bryn Athyn Historic District. Once home to the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn family, Glencairn is now a museum of religious art and history.

IMAGES, Credit Glencairn Museum:
Easter window designed and made by Winfred Hyatt in the 1930s
Mourning Virgin, 15th century, France
Resurrected Jesus appearing to 7 disciples by the Sea of Galilee, Winfred Hyatt, 1920s
Visit of the 2 Marys to the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday, Winfred Hyatt, 1920s