DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is located on the former estate of Julian de Cordova. Independent appraisers determined that de Cordova's collections were not of substantial interest or value, so the collection was sold and the proceeds were used to create a museum of regional contemporary art. The Trustees reached this decision after they noticed the near absence of modern art exhibitions in the Boston area, and the lack of venues for works by regional contemporary artists. When it officially opened in 1950 as the deCordova and Dana Museum, it was the only museum to focus its exhibitions and collecting activities on living New England artists, while also offering an educational program in the visual arts.

The founding director was Frederick P. Walkey, a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He aggressively organized an exhibition schedule and arts instruction program with a clear educational mandate. DeCordova established a reputation for ground-breaking exhibitions that introduced New England audiences to important trends within contemporary art both regionally and nationally, including Pop Art and Boston's post-war expressionist movement. It changed its name to the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park in around 1989. Georgia Litwack taught photography courses at the deCordova.

In 2019, deCordova was acquired by The Trustees of Reservations, a land conservation and historic preservation non-profit.

DeCordova is under the direction of Sarah Montross, Museum Director and Chief Curator. Prior directors of deCordova include Michael Busack and John Ravenal, who was appointed in 2015.

In 2023, the museum building was closed to permit an upgrade to its HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, which was expected to last for two to three years. The outdoor sculpture park remains open.