'The MET’s Forgotten Collection: When Plaster Casts Ruled the Hall' Webinar

Before original masterpieces lined the walls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, its galleries were once filled with thousands of plaster replicas — exacting reproductions of classical sculpture and architectural detail that aimed to bring the art of the ancient world to life in New York City. These casts weren't just decorative; they were the cornerstone of the museum’s educational mission, offering a sweeping narrative of European art history. Now nearly all forgotten and vanished from view, it’s time to rediscover the curious rise and fall of one of The MET's most ambitious early collections.

Join New York Adventure Club as we delve into the forgotten story of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s once-vast Plaster Cast Collection, a curated showcase of sculptural reproductions that played a foundational role in the museum’s early history and educational mission.

Led by Mollie Wohlforth — Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) Cast Hall Curator and Senior Gallery Manager — our virtual journey through this fascinating chapter of museum history will include:

• The historic practices and techniques of plaster casting, including how artists replicated ancient and classical works in extraordinary detail
• A look at The MET's founding years, and how the Plaster Cast Collection came to shape the museum’s earliest exhibitions
• The decline and eventual disappearance of the collection, including the reasons behind its deaccessioning and dispersal
• An exploration of the cast collection’s lasting legacy, and how these replicas continue to influence artistic education and historical understanding today
• A discussion around the cultural significance of copies, and what plaster casts reveal about the 19th-century values that shaped The MET's vision

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Mollie — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.

See you there, virtually!

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***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

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About Mollie

Mollie Wohlforth is Senior Gallery Manager at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA), where she oversees the Cast Hall and its educational programming. With a background in museum education and a deep interest in the reproduction of architectural and sculptural heritage, Mollie brings scholarly rigour and curator‑level insight to her work. Her recent projects focus on how plaster‐cast collections shaped museum practices and architectural pedagogy in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

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Photo Credit: Main & Middle Right - NYPL, Bottom Right - ICAA

Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment