the Maridon Museum

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

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.

Save the Date!

We have announced three movies to be featured in the 2017 Thailand Film Series this autumn. Exploring the life of musical prodigy, the haunting consequences of a car accident, and the last days of a dying man, this series displays a rich, full range of Thai culture and heritage. Click here for the flyer.


Don’t miss out on this Japanese Dance (Buyo) and Buyo Exercise Workshop from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Free and open to the public. Click here for the flyer.

Did you know that the ancient Chinese believed that jade placed in the nine body openings before burial could inhibit decay? A piece of jade carved in the shape of a cicada was placed in the mouth of a corpse before burying. (You will see one of these rare artifacts -- Western Han dynasty 206 BCE-25 CE -- in The Maridon Museum’s Rear Gallery Timeline Exhibit). Now, back to me. In 2005, shortly after the opening of the museum, our founder, Mary Hulton Phillips, was presented with a wonderful collection of jade from a private collector in Ohio. I was one of the 21 pieces that she purchased that day. I believe that what makes me stand out in the crowd is that she thought I was so special that she took me home to keep with her until she built my new home in the museum, the Hall Vitrine. I am 16” long and have beautiful shades of lavender and green. Please visit me (and the jade cicada, too, of course.)

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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