Collections

The Museum’s collection includes more than 400 pieces of original wood sculptures carved by Leo Smith and painted by his wife Marilyn. The Smiths are world-renowned for their colorful, whimsical carvings celebrating small-town life, river lore and the flora and fauna of the upper Mississippi River region.  The Museum is the exclusive retailer of Leo Smith Folk Art reproductions, and collectors eagerly await the release of new limited edition sculptures each fall. The Smiths are active members of the Museum and enjoy sharing stories of their inspiration, techniques and love of the region. They offer several public signings at the Museum each year.

The Museum’s permanent collection includes a variety of maritime paintings, historic artifacts, personal possessions, ship models and navigational instruments from several centuries. Highlights include letters written by Lord Horatio Nelson (in his left and right hands), Nelson's wash basin from HMS Victory, a large stained glass window by Louis Tiffany, two 19th-century ship figureheads, 17th-century Dutch bronze rail cannon, ship wheels and paintings by artists William Bradford, Alfred Bricher, Roy Cross, Montague Dawson, Mauritz De Haas and many more.

On permanent loan to the Museum is the Burrichter/Kierlin Marine Art Collection, considered to be one of the largest private collections of marine art in North America. The 463-piece collection includes paintings and artifacts spanning 400 years of maritime history by artists such as Bradford, Buttersworth, Homer, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir and Stobart. In May 2009, a new gallery will open to permanently display more than 70 Impressionist and Hudson River School paintings in the collection