Stroud Is All Over the Place: Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, is a treasure. Of course, some obnoxious people may think museums are a waste of time. They are also those who think books are a waste of time. Sadly, they are also mostly those of my sex.

And by the way, I don’t use the word gender about people. Take French, with words for example, none of which have anything to do with sex. And now you’re asking yourself what the devil does that have to do with a museum or anything else? That’s my point. Gender is for grammar rules.

But, let’s move on while you quietly argue with yourself about why the French word for banana is la banane, which is feminine. Or maybe you already figured out why “An ass is c’est un connard”, is masculine.

Shall we get back to a wonderful museum? You may have already wondered if I would fail a breathalyzer test. Only coffee folks! I promise.

Every part of the Cummer Museum gives you everything to enjoy, in the depths of your soul, including two wonderfully expansive gardens, the English garden and Italian garden, overlooking the St. Johns River. Even if art is not your forte (pronounced fort in American English and forte in British English. I prefer the Brit way.), just step into the gardens, sit and watch the lovely flowers and trees blown by the soft breeze off the St. Johns’.

I sat and read in the shade until my friendly gender companion, suggested we leave pronto.

She was right to push me along. So much to see and so many aspects of art, from paintings from long ago to the glorious French artists of the late 1800s and into the 1920s, and onward to ultra-modern.

Then there is a galore of porcelain from around the world, and on to one of my favorite arts, photography, covering all, from the very beginning of photography to the newest.

I must mention my favorite photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson and to paraphrase his most important rule for all photographers: Take the shot or lose it forever!

Yes, idiot or not, with myself included, Cummer Museum of Art & Garden is a sumptuous palace to broaden your knowledge and enlighten yourself in many ways.

I’ll be back. Too much to see and too much to miss!

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Two other things to think about: An amazing area and array of arty interactions for children of all ages!