Mandel Foundation donates $7.5 million to Cleveland Museum of Art expansion and renovation

Posted August 22, 2012 in Articles

Author: Steven Litt

The much-beloved Armor Court at the Cleveland Museum of Art was in its second decade in the 1930s when a young Morton Mandel visited for the first time on a school trip.

He was electrified by the shields, broadswords, tapestries and battle armor on view — and savors the memory.

“The Armor Court is in my psyche,” he says. “I’ve always been dazzled by it.”

Now a highly successful businessman and philanthropist, Mandel is showing gratitude by donating $7.5 million through his family’s foundation to push the museum’s eight-year, $350 million expansion and renovation closer to completion.

On Tuesday, the museum announced the gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. In recognition, the institution will name the Armor Court for the three brothers — no relation to the current candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, Josh Mandel.

Original Article: http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/08/mandel_foundation_donates_75_m.html