taft museum of art

This historic house offers lots of art, beautifully renovated and rehabbed murals, delightful window treatments, and great restaurant. Changing exhibits will keep you coming back.

This museum was founded by Anna Taft and her political husband. They collected pieces of art and porcelain from around the globe. Musical events are offered here. The first piano recital I ever attended was held here and my mom took me with her to enjoy it. The continue to offer chamber music and special events for families. The luncheon area is very nice with an outdoor garden during warm weather. Art openings, Christmas décor and special exhibits - and, of course, a gift shop. Enjoy your visit!

A gift to the City by Mr. & Mrs. Charles Phelps Taft, this museum, on the edge of Downtown, faces Lytle Park and the famous Lincoln statue. It's beautiful on the outside, but the exhibits -- both the permanent collection and the periodic special exhibits -- make the Taft and extraordinary place to visit.

Went there for the "Paris, Day and Night" photography exhibition. Taft Mansion is a nice place to explore, especially with free admission on Sundays. Also saw the X-mas display and the other permanent collections on display there, some were very interesting. Could really tell some of the portraits were of lesser quality compared to other museums I have visited though. The security staff were kind of stuffy and cold towards patrons, but not outright jerks. They were everywhere, looking bored and irritated, occasionally loudly informing someone of the museum rules. But besides that, I had a pretty good time and would recommend it if you are in the area with an afternoon to kill.

My wife and I went to the Taft during the week after Christmas. For those unfamiliar with the Taft, it is in a historic house where, among others, the half-brother of President William Howard Taft, lived. The family was quite wealthy and were serious collectors of art. The permanent collection is group in different rooms in the house. In addition, there are amazing landscape murals in the foyer painted by Robert Duncanson. The museum also had an extensive display of Christmas items, which I think is a yearly exhibit, and a special exhibit of photographs from Parisian photographers.

The only down-side to our visit was the very large number of people visiting on Sunday, when admission is free. We visited while our daughter and son-in-law were in town, The only day we could conveniently fit into our schedule was Sunday. We got there relatively early, and it wasn't too bad when we first arrived; but, it became more and more crowded as the afternoon went on. Since admission is free on Sunday, the place was packed with people wanting to see the exhibit of antique Christmas decorations, as well as the Photography exhibit of "Paris, Day and Night". The other items in the permanent collection are just incredible. I really enjoyed the photography. It brought back some forgotten memories. I only wish we had gone when the museum was not so crowded. It was still a great visit; but, it would have been even more enjoyable without quite so many people.

Living in Cincinnati I am embarrassed to say I have never been to the Taft museum. I heard all the commercials about the Christmas exhibit especially the Rudolph's 50th anniversary. Luckily we went on Sunday so admission was free. Parking is also free. On arrival the woman at the desk explained the layout of the museum. We went to the top of the stairs and into the first exhibit. I was a bit surprised to find there were nude photographs in the exhibit. Luckily my 8 y/o daughter seemed to take it in stride. "Mommy these people are NAKED". On leaving the room there is a sign warning of the mature subject matter but I missed it on the way in. The woman at the desk did not mention it. The Christmas exhibit was spread out thorough out the museum. I was impressed with the art but underwhelmed by the Christmas exhibit. I was outright disappointed in the Rudolph exhibit (which is why I took my daughter). Having done a bit of research on this site I read the other comments about the heavy handed security. I even warned my daughter (as she can be a bit excited sometimes). The first guard we met was an older gentleman who was awesome. He taught my daughter some interesting facts about perspective and how it changes the picture. He was wonderful. Later in the same exhibit a different younger guard yelled at my daughter because she "looked like she might touch a picture". My daughter is really sensitive to getting corrected by other adults and began to cry (especially since she was trying really hard to behave) . It honestly ruined the experience for her. As we walked around there were guards everywhere, sometimes 2 in one small room. The restaurant was crowded but we did not eat there. It was a nice free way to kill an hour but the heavy-handed security takes away from the overall experience. Recommended if you like art museums with a Christmas display. Not worth going just for the Christmas display. Also go on Sunday when its free!!

My family recently made its annual Christmas time journey to this wonderful museum in the heart of Cincinnati. Our visit was on Sunday with the bonus of FREE admission and little or no traffic. We love the small to mid-sized rooms filled with the "great masters". Yes-the exhibits are in smaller rooms and not the large galleries found to larger museums. If you want to enjoy a late breakfast (museum opens at 11AM), reservations are suggested. For guests staying in downtown hotels, it is an easy flat walk from the Fountain Square area etc. I am lucky to be a modest world traveler-the exhibits at the Taft are truly world class.

This is both an art museum --with old masters paintings-- and a decorative arts museum in the form of the historical mansion that is the original building. Since it is December they have supplemented the regular art with a large number of displays of Christmas decorations from earlier centuries and other countries. These pieces alone were worth the trip.I missed the sign for the museum's parking garage but had no problem finding street parking.

I Love this museum. In my opinion, viewing exhibits from various rooms of this home made them a little more interesting. I really enjoyed the Christmas exhibits, it was a stroll in Christmases past.

It's an annual Christmas tradition to go to the Taft and see the antique Christmas feather trees and decorations. The Taft also has wonderful exhibits and a wonderful art collection. The gift shop and café are fabulous too.

Recommend having a docent give a tour. Ours shared interesting facts. Ate in the cafe. We had a person with some dietery restrictions. Called several days in advance and the chef made an amazing luncheon plate that was perfect. Food was very good. Service was excellent for our group of 13. Would highly recommend.

The Taft Museum of Art is one of Cincinnati's crown jewels. The art collection, brought together by Charles and Annie Taft (Half-brother and Sister-in-law of President Taft) was given to the people of Cincinnati upon their death. The collection features priceless works of European, Asian and American art, in may respects, rivaling the excellent collection at the much larger, Cincinnati Museum of Art. One of the things that sets this collection apart is having it displayed in the Taft's home. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (though it opens on Tuesdays at the holidays). There is an excellent café on-site, and the garden courtyard is a delightful oasis in a historic downtown neighborhood that was once Cincinnati's finest address. The building itself is significant, architecturally (one of the finest examples of Federal style architecture in the United States), artistically (the foyer is adorned with beautifully restored murals by Robert Duncanson, c. 1850), and historically (the home was first built in 1820, for a Martin Baum, but passed to the Longworth Family, one of America's wealthiest in the 19th century, and then to Sinton, a local real estate baron, and finally to the Taft's, upon Charles' marriage to Annie Sinton). William Howard Taft accepted the nomination to be President of the United States on the portico, and spent election evening here in 1908, finally appearing as the newly elected President to large crowds that had gathered on the front lawn. The museum has multiple special exhibit spaces and hosts a variety of lectures. Check the website for details. Admission to the museum is free on Sundays.

Having been to the Taft Museum a number of times, each time we visit is pure pleasure. The recent special exhibit is black and white photos of Paris from the 1940s. They are not the traditional views but are memorable in their perspective. Make sure you visit their lovely cafe for a French themed lunch and save room for dessert. If you have time, visit the house and it's permanent art exhibits which are varied and a pleasure to view. Oh, their gift shop is always unique too.

I attended the Taft with friends on a Sunday (free). I have a greater appreciation for the legacy of the Taft family after reading Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearn Goodwin. So glad that this touchstone has been beautifully preserved in Cincinnati!