About us:

Considered one of the great small museums in the world, the Timken houses the world-class Putnam Foundation Collection of European old master paintings, American paintings, and Russian icons. Artists represented include Rembrandt, Rubens, Fragonard, Bierstadt, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, John Singleton Copley, and Eastman Johnson. The Timken's modern, white marble building was designed by San Diego architect Frank Hope, Jr. The museum also hosts special exhibitions and educational programming. Admission is always free.

History:

A desire to share the extraordinary European art collection of Amy and Anne Putnam with San Diego residents and visitors resulted in the establishment of the Timken Museum of Art.

The Timken Museum of Art has its roots in the serendipitous relationship between two sisters, Anne R. and Amy Putnam - members of the Ohio-based Timken family of the Timken roller bearing fame - and San Diego attorney Walter Ames.

The Putnam sisters arrived in San Diego in the early 1900s from Vermont, accompanied by their elderly parents and preceded by their uncle, Henry Putnam, who retired in San Diego in 1898.