CLINTON — Housed in a 150-year-old former police station and mill sits one of the largest private collections of Russian and Eastern European Christian art — the only specialized museum of its kind in the United States and right smack dab in the middle of Clinton.
It all started with local industrialist and collector Gordon B. Lankton, who in the late 1980s began traveling to Russia on business while working for Nypro, an injection molding plastics company based in Clinton. During these trips, Lankton solidified one of the first U.S.-Soviet business partnerships and would buy one of the first icons in what would become a massive collection.
The first icon depicted St. Nicholas, one of the most popular icons other than Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. As his collection grew, he decided to open the Museum of Russian Icons in 2006, with the notion of bringing "the soul of Russian culture to an American public."
The icons began lining the walls on the newly renovated building on Union Street, formerly the Bigelow Textile Co., and by 2016 the museum received accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.
Over the years as their collection expanded, the organization dropped "Russian" from their title, changing its name to the Icon Museum and Study Center, and now houses icons from all over the world, including Ethiopia. With the name change also came a broader mission statement to include further research, preservation and conservation of these artworks and to encourage visitors to discover, to be educated and to get inspired.
The removal of "Russian" from the museum's title also came in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in October 2022. Now a large Ukrainian flag hangs at the entrance of the building and the museum is working to incorporate more Ukrainian icons into the collection.
What exactly is an icon?
"That's a good question," said Laura Garrity-Arquitt, registrar of the museum. "It really comes down to the intent, not only of the iconographer but the intent of its use. Icons are more than paintings, they're spiritual objects."
Iconography is one of the oldest traditions in Christian artwork, dating back as far as 988 A.D., and typically depicts holy figures such as Jesus Christ or John the Baptist. The imagery is typically painted on wood but can be found on other forms of canvas, including skins, and is used as an aid to prayer and devotion in the Byzantine and other Eastern European churches.
In the Russian language the same word is used to mean both to paint and to write, therefore those speaking the language will often refer to an icon as having been "written" rather than painted. This perhaps, is the easiest way to describe the images held in the large collection.
Standing in front of a massive icon depicting "the last judgment," the Book of Revelations plays out in picture form across the ancient wood, almost like a primitive comic.
"Something like this would be hung at the exit of a church, almost as a reminder," Garrity-Arquitt said, pointing to a naked figure tied to a pole in the center. "That is the benevolent adulterer. Picture someone who has lived their life doing no wrong, except they're an adulterer. This person isn't going to heaven but instead is tied up, in view of the gates, so they'll forever see what they're missing out on."
Other icons are less of a story but more of a portrait, showcasing a saint or other religious figure. One of the most interesting icons on display is "Sophia, Wisdom of God." Painted completely red, the color of the fiery heavens, she is wisdom personified and is pictured proudly in the male-dominated collection of icons.
Her presence has become important debate for feminism in spirituality as to whether she is to be understood as a person or merely as a concept. It's just one of the reasons more research into these icons has become a major priority for the center.
Another interesting icon depicts events in Mary's life before giving birth to Jesus, including her own birth, often referred to as the Annunciation. The large icon shows how her parents were ostracized from their community for being an elderly couple without children and their separation, followed by a visit from an angel bringing the couple back together with the promise of a child. The lower half of the icon continues the story with the birth and finally the happy mother and father holding their new bundle of joy.
In the lower level of the building on Union Street, its history as a former police station is revealed. The original holding cells have been converted into small office space used by the center's summer interns. Walking past, two interns sat in their respective jail cells, researching and clicking away.
"It's funny," Garrity-Arquitt said, placing a hand on the door of one of the cells. "I've had some people visit and tell me 'I used to live in an apartment around here and spent a few nights drying out in these holding cells.'"
Just then a group of 70 students flew past, heading into an event space.
"It's going to be a busy day," Garrity-Arquitt said with a smile.
T&G engagement editor Sarah Barnacle is getting to know Central Mass. by exploring some of the best places to go and things to do in Worcester County. If you have an idea or suggestion, please email sbarnacle@gannett.com.
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