The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art is the beneficiary of a major bequest.
The late billionaire newspaper publisher Richard Mellon Scaife — who died July 4 — bequeathed property known as Penguin Court and half his art collection to the conservancy. The other half of his collection goes to the Westmoreland Museum of Art in Greensburg, Pa.
The will also says the two museums should make alternating selections should there be any disagreement on the division of the art works. The Brandywine River Museum of Art gets the first selection, under that scenario, according to the will.
The conservancy also gets $15 million for the upkeep of Penguin Court.
Virginia Logan, executive director of the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art issued the following statement: “The bequest from Richard M. Scaife was a bittersweet one indeed. We are deeply saddened by his passing and truly honored by his stunning gift.”
“As you can imagine, there are many unanswered questions, and while we are eager to learn more, we are also respectful of the needs those who were close to him as we all deal with the loss of a great man.”
Scaife was a member of the Brandywine River Museum’s Board of Trustees and a donor to the conservancy.
