Woodmere Frances M. Maguire Hall

With a rapidly expanding collection and some limitations on available gallery space, Woodmere purchased the former Saint Michael’s Hall from the Sisters of Saint Joseph in October 2021, renaming the historic building Maguire Hall after a generous gift from The Maguire Foundation.

The Victorian mansion circa mid-1800s and former convent has been transformed into Philadelphia’s newest museum, opened in November 2025. Former parlors and bedrooms became 14 new galleries housing cutting-edge Contemporary Art by the living artists of Philadelphia, the Illustration Arts, Philadelphia Modernism and Realism, Pennsylvania Impressionism, and a new Jewelry Vault. The expansion allows Woodmere to display a considerable amount of art that has been stored in vaults and gone unseen by the public due to space constraints.

The renovation also added public event spaces and a hands-on Love Kids Art Studio for art and education; and addressed accessibility, including adding an elevator and entry ramps. The addition of Maguire Hall expands the outdoor space, known as WOW (Woodmere’s Outdoor Wonder), from six to 10 acres of greenspace, reinforcing the Museum’s commitment to “art + nature” garden experiences; and added 150 new trees, and various sculptures, including one to showcase a fountain in front of the museum.

Other project team members include Keast & Hood, Matthew Baird Architects, Krieger + Associates Architects, The Sullivan Company, Meliora Design, and Andropogon Associates.

For more information, visit the Museum’s page on the project.