​ The Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, New York is a 500 acre sculpture park. Situated in a rural area surrounded by hills and mountains, the museum is where art and nature meet.

Storm King was founded in 1960 by businessman Ralph E. Ogden on a parcel of 180 acres donated to the museum by the Ralph E. Ogden Foundation. The original idea was to man-style chateau on the parcel for the study of Hudson River School painting. On the grounds near the chateau, Ogden placed a number of small modern and contemporary sculptures that he had collected with the idea of making them focal points in a formal garden. A few years later, however, with the purchase of 13 works from the estate of modern sculptor David Smith, the museum's focus changed to modern and contemporary sculpture.

As the collection grew, sculptures were placed further away from the chateau. Landscape architect William Rutherford molded the terrain to suit the sculptures while preserving the natural look of the grounds.

Following Ogden's death in 1974, Ogden's business partner Peter Stern took over as chairman of the museum. Subsequently, their company, Star Expandsion Company, donated another 300 acres of adjoining land to the museum. It also donated 2,300 acres on Schunnemunk Mountain, which provides an unspoiled background to the museum property. (The property on the mountain is now a New York State park).

In the years since then, Storm King has continued to increase its permanent collection. In addition, it has hosted other sculptures on loan from other museums.

Visitors to Storm King can see works by artists the likes of Alexander Calder, Henry Moore and Louise Nevelson. There are monumental works and smaller sculptures. However, what makes Storm King special is the placement of the works amidst so much natural beauty.

The sculptures are spread out across the property. Most visitors explore the property on foot. However, the museum also operates a tram and visitors can rent bicycles.

The chateau is now the Museum Building. In addition to offices, it contains the museum store and an exhibition gallery.

For more information on visiting, see the Storm King Art Center website  

Above:  For Maya Lin's "Storm King Wavefield" the ground was sculpted to look like ocean waves.
Below: Menache Kadishman's "Suspended" was placed to contrast the industrial with the natural.

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Above:  The Museum Building.

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Places to see art - -  New Windsor, N.Y. - - Storm King Art Center