Helene B. Roberson Visible Storage Building

On February 26, 2011, the Museum of Arts and Science (MOAS) hosted the opening of the new 4,400 square foot addition of the Helene B. Roberson Visible Storage Building. A more-than-generous donation from Helene B. Roberson and funding from the Volusia County ECHO program supported the construction of the new addition.

The newly accessible art and decorative objects represent 30 percent of the Museum of Arts and Sciences’ collection of over 20,000 objects. The Visible Storage Building features influential works from the Museum’s collection in open storage format and contains art and artifacts not currently on exhibition. The Helene. B. Roberson Visible Storage Building is unique in the state of Florida and is the only facility of its kind for art and decorative objects.

The building addresses the challenge of organizing a public exhibition space while fulfilling the traditional purpose of safely housing an important section of the Museum’s enormous and impressive collections in a climate-controlled and easily accessible environment.

Hiding behind the glass enclosures are unique examples of the Museum’s collection of 1,700 Napoleonic artworks from the heart of the installation. The one-of-a-kind gallery includes one of the most richly historic collections of Napoleonic holdings in the Southeastern United States.

The collection displays pieces directly associated with Napoleon including the gilded-bronze-decorated early 19th Century mahogany bed, along with porcelains, sculptures, personal items, textiles and weaponry of excellent craftsmanship.

The Helene B. Roberson Visible Storage Building accommodates items on a long-term basis that have only previously been on display in rotating exhibits and educational programs allowing museum patrons to view more of the Museum’s collection.