Gardner Museum of Architecture & Design

332 Maine St. • Quincy, IL  62301
Phone: (217) 224-6873 • Fax: (217) 224-0006

Mission Statement

The mission of the Gardner Museum of Architecture & Design is to foster an increased awareness and appreciation of the architectural and design heritage of Quincy, the Upper Mississippi Valley, and the United States while exploring influence and impact of national events on its development. This purpose is fulfilled by preserving and interpreting that heritage through research and preservation activity, the maintenance of document and artifact collections, and the development and presentation of exhibits and public educational programs.

History of the Museum

In 1974 the Quincy Public Library vacated its old building at the corner of 4th and Maine and relocated to a new building at 526 Jersey Street. At that time, John Willis Gardner III bought the Maine Street property, with the intention of establishing an architectural museum. After adaptive reuse of the interior, the museum opened in 1977.

The Gardner Museum is a stone Romanesque Revival style building erected in 1888. It was designed by the Chicago architectural firm of Patton and Fisher and built with limestone supplied by the Frederick W. Menke Stone Works of Quincy. A stucco addition, designed by Quincy architect Ernest Wood, was added to the back of the building in 1929. Massive masonry walls of rough-cut or rusticated stones, rounded arches, and towers characterize Romanesque Revival buildings. The Gardner Museum is a full two stories with a circular corner tower that rises to three stories and features views of nearby Washington Park, as well as of the Mississippi River and the Missouri countryside beyond. Ornamental iron railings and supports are intact at the entrance. The interior features butternut woodwork throughout and a handsome staircase with an ornately carved baluster. The second floor has a large room, formerly the library reading room, has a tongue and groove wood vaulted ceiling. It now houses the "Aspirations in Glass" exhibit of stained glass windows saved from demolished churches.