Ohio Open Doors: Kent State University Museum Tour

Tour the Kent State University Museum from 5 to 7 pm to view one of the world’s most important collections of fashion, textiles and decorative arts, spanning the mid-1700s through the present. With an historic collection of more than 30,000 objects and seven gallery spaces, the museum on the Kent State University Campus brings together Town and Gown in this historic venue.

Rockwell Hall

Founded in 1985, the museum is housed in the renovated 1927 Beaux Arts-style former university library, Rockwell Hall. Located in Kent, OH, the building was transformed to meet modern museum standards under architects Ted Curtis and Whitley & Whitley, preserving original marble, woodwork, and chandeliers in the Higbee Gallery.

Key Historical Details:

• Original Building (1927): Rockwell Hall originally served as the main Kent State University Library.
• Renovation & Opening (1985): The building was repurposed into a museum following a significant gift from designers Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman, who donated their extensive fashion collection to the university.
• Architectural Style: The building is a notable example of Beaux Arts architecture.
• Location: It is located on the campus of Kent State University and acts as a central hub for the School of Fashion.

The museum features eight galleries, including the Higbee Gallery, and remains closely connected to the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, which is in the adjacent building.