Rodin Museum Museum
Philadelphia museum holding major Rodin sculpture collection
On Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Rodin Museum holds one of the largest Rodin collections outside Paris, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell; art lovers visit for sculpture and quiet galleries.
Rodin Museum at a Glance#
Address: Rodin Museum, 2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
Website: https://www.rodinmuseum.org/
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays (hours may vary)
Admission: Adults $10-$12 (subject to change); discounts for seniors/students; outdoor grounds often free.
About Rodin Museum#
The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia is an art museum established to display a major collection of works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. It opened in 1929 and sits on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as part of the city’s cultural corridor.
The museum’s displays include bronzes, plasters and carved marbles set within interior galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden. Signature works in the collection include prominent figures and studies by Rodin such as The Thinker and compositions related to The Gates of Hell.
The collection was assembled by the Philadelphia collector Jules Mastbaum and donated to the city; the museum building and grounds were established to present the works to the public. The site remains a focus for study of Rodin’s oeuvre outside France.
Located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the museum is close to other major Philadelphia cultural institutions and the green space of Fairmount.
- Founding and location: The collection was assembled by collector Jules Mastbaum and the museum opened to the public in 1929 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
- Highlights: Houses a significant group of Rodin’s works outside France, including notable pieces such as The Thinker and studies for The Gates of Hell.
What to See#
- Galleries and sculpture garden: The museum’s galleries display bronze casts, plaster works and finished marble sculptures by Auguste Rodin, arranged around a landscaped sculpture garden.
How to Get to Rodin Museum#
The Rodin Museum is on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. From Center City, take SEPTA’s bus routes that serve the Parkway or walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art (about a 5-10 minute walk). Street parking and nearby parking garages are available.
Tips for Visiting Rodin Museum#
- Time a visit to coincide with quieter weekday mornings to see the sculptures without school groups.
- Don't skip the cast garden outside - it's the best place to see Rodin's work in light and weather.
- Check for rotating exhibitions and occasional late openings on Thursdays.
Best Time to Visit Rodin Museum#
Spring and autumn provide comfortable weather for the outdoor sculpture garden and fewer peak-season tourists.
Weather & Climate near Rodin Museum#
Rodin Museum's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1128 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 5° | -4° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 6° | -2° | 72 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 1° - 12° | 3° | 99 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 24° | 18° | 106 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 91 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 31° | 25° | 113 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 30° | 25° | 109 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 26° | 21° | 99 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 20° | 14° | 77 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 13° | 6° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -2° - 8° | 0° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
