Our Museum’s Beginning

Trammell and Margaret Crow bought their first piece of Asian art in the mid-1960s. From that initial purchase, a distinguished collection of Asian art has evolved. The collection features pieces from China, Japan, India, Korea and Southeastern Asia spanning from historical to contemporary. 

In December 1998, the Crow Family opened the Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art as a permanent museum at 2010 Flora Street in the Arts District of Dallas, Texas.  Mr. and Mrs. Crow opened the free museum in an effort to share their love of Asian art and culture with the public. The museum’s mission is to bridge the cultural gap between East and West. The Crows traveled extensively throughout the world, but Asia was always a favorite destination. “Our first visit to China came in 1976 right before Chairman Mao Zedong died,” Mrs. Crow said. “Very few foreigners were allowed inside China at that time, but we received permission because of Dallas Market Center’s involvement with the Canton Trade Fair.” 

“Trammell always loved Chinese art – it fascinated him, especially jade,” Mrs. Crow said. “And I’ve always appreciated English décor, which has been influenced by the Chinese for centuries.  So it was very easy for us to develop this partnership – this love for Asian Art.” Tight restrictions on Chinese exports prevented the Crows from making many direct buys of art during their 14 subsequent visits to the country. The majority of their collection has been obtained from individual purchases made through private dealers and auction houses and through the acquisition of major collections, such as the highly respected Morrie A. Moss collection. 

Eventually, the Crow family retained Asian art expert, Clarence Shangraw to evaluate their collection. After extensive analysis by Shangraw, who was with the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco at that time, 569 of the best pieces were selected for inclusion in the Crow Collection’s permanent collection.  Soon pieces from Japan, India and other Southeast Asian countries were added as the Crows expanded their travels. 

The idea for the museum was a result of Mr. and Mrs. Crow’s desire to keep the collection intact as a legacy for their family as well as the public. In 2019, the Crow family made another unprecedented gift by donating the entire collection to The University of Texas at Dallas in memory of their parents and to ensure that the objects may be continued to be enjoyed and cared for by a new generation. In 2024, UT Dallas will open Phase I of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum, a multiphase arts and performance complex dedicated to enhancing and enriching the arts on campus and for the North Texas region. The Crow Museum of Asian Art will operate two locations – the original museum in the Dallas Arts District and the new facility within the O’Donnell Athenaeum.