November 20, 2012
New Yorkers frequently take the treasures of their city for
granted, so it was not surprising that when members of the St.
John’s University Retirees Association recently visited The
Cloisters, for many it was their first time inside this exceptional
museum.
Photo gallery
Located in northern Manhattan, The Cloisters is the branch of
The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture
of medieval Europe that date from the twelfth through the fifteenth
century.
The
retirees enjoyed a guided tour conducted by an expert who provided
fascinating details and little-known information about the
artifacts on display. Their insightful questions encouraged the
guide to elaborate on the history of the exhibits and describe how
various pieces ultimately found their way to the museum.
“The Cloisters is an amazing museum,” remarked Kathleen Mannion
’10G, Associate Director, Office of Gift Planning, “and the trip
was as much of an educational experience as it was a social
gathering. Our retirees always enjoy getting together, and
activities like this are a great way for them to keep their
connection to St. John’s strong.”
Following their time at The Cloisters the group gathered for
lunch at the New Leaf Café, where they marveled at the view of the
majestic Hudson River. Many remarked that the country-like setting
made them feel that they were far from the confines of New York
City, and agreed that they would like to return for a similar trip
with their families.