the Maridon Museum

322 North McKean St., Butler, PA 16001 | phone: 724.282.0123 | fax: 724.282.0567 | email: info@maridon.org

PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed for the holiday on Wednesday, December 26th

The Maridon opened on May 8th, 2004. It is the only museum in the Western Pennsylvania region with a specific focus on Asian Art and Culture coupled with German Meissen porcelain. The museum — both the objects and the buildings that house them — is the gift of Mary Hulton Phillips. Patricia Lowry, writing in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, pronounced the Maridon a "gleaming little gem of a museum."


		The seal in the museum's logo describes the permanent collection. Click on the seal to learn more about each character's symbolism and meaning.

Maridon Featured in Huffington Post The Maridon was recently featured in Huffington Post’s article “55 Best Lesser Known Art Museums, Artist Studios, and Art Centers in Northeast USA.” Come visit us to find out just why Malerie Yolen-Cohen, Huffington Post Contributor, wrote “It’s a knockout museum worth a drive from anywhere. The Asian art collection at The Maridon is fascinating on many levels – the most elemental being its stunning beauty and fine craftsmanship.” Click here to read the article.

The Maridon Museum is offering every third Thursday at 6 p.m. a short Dharma based on the teachings of Buddha and a contemplative period of meditation. These lessons are open to anyone. The Crystal Lotus meditation group will host and support beginning practitioners of meditation, which has proven to be beneficial for those suffering stress, anger, and general emotional strife. Donations welcome. All proceeds benefit The Maridon. Click here for complete details.

Come Learn Mahjong or Mix With Experienced Players! Games are open to all, and we only ask that you register to attend so we are prepared to provide instructions for those not familiar with Mahjong. Game length times vary, but we always finish by 4:00 p.m. Come along and bring some friends! Click here for complete details. Call 724.282.0123.

Please join us for our book club! Click here for the flyer.

Hello. As you can see, I am quite jolly as I’m decked out to welcome visitors in this wonderful season of good cheer and well wishes for all. My little ones are following my example, and I’m sure they will always be of good cheer, too. I was carved from rosewood in the image of The Happy God in 20th Century China. I had a prominent place in the family room of Mary Hulton Phillips, founder of The Maridon Museum from 1987 until 2004, when she opened the museum. I always wore my special Santa hat to celebrate the season. As you can see, she gave me an equally prominent place in the Front Gallery of the museum, where I traditionally still wear my Santa hat. Please note, the little ones wear their little hats, too. Budai Heshag was originally a Chan (Japanese Zen) Buddhist master who lived around the 9th or 10th Century. He was known for his happy expressions, a sign of his joy at having “discovered the Buddha within himself.” After his death, people began to worship him as a sign of happiness and good fortune. He is sometimes referred to as the “Buddhist Happy God,” or the “Laughing Buddha,” though the latter name is misleading because he is not really a Buddha, per se. Budai is often depicted surrounded by joyful children. His name literally means “the monk of the cloth sack.” Please visit us as we celebrate the season.

On July 13th The Maridon Museum received the “Community
Champion Award” from the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
Click here for details!


	Maridon Museum Featured in Uncovering PA Blog Exploring Asian Art and Culture at the Maridon Museum For 2.5 years before moving to Pennsylvania, I lived, worked, and traveled throughout Asia. It was these travels that got me into travel writing with my other site, Tripologist.com, and I still really enjoy learning about Asian culture. So, when I found out that Butler, Pennsylvania had a museum filled with amazing Asian art, I knew I had to visit. Click here to read the complete blog post!

	20 Best Small Towns in America: Butler Named No. 7 The Smithsonian Magazine recently rated Butler, Pennsylvania number 7 of the 20 Best Small Towns in America. The Maridon and our founder Mary Hulton Phillips are specifically mentioned. Click here to read the Smithsonian Magazine article.

	Latest Maridon Museum Newsletter To find out all the latest news about the Maridon Museum, click here to read our newsletter.

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